Bhopal's loudspeakers face crackdown after NGT's noise pollution ruling

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered action against loud public announcement systems in Bhopal. The ruling follows a petition by green activist Rashid Noor Khan, who argued that these systems violate noise pollution laws. Authorities must now enforce stricter controls to reduce harmful noise levels in the city. Khan’s petition highlighted that traffic messages, warnings, and instructions are broadcast at excessive volumes throughout the day. The noise was described as harmful, particularly near residential areas and silence zones. Advocate Harshwardhan Tiwari supported the claim, stating that the systems breach the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000.

In response, the NGT directed the Bhopal district collector and police to take immediate steps to control noise pollution. The Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) was also ordered to monitor noise levels and submit a report within four weeks. Additionally, the tribunal instructed authorities to ban or regulate systems within 100 metres of residential areas, commercial zones, courts, hospitals, educational institutions, and silence zones. The NGT further mandated the shutdown or regulation of unauthorised, excessively loud traffic announcement systems. The decision aims to curb noise disturbances and ensure compliance with environmental laws.

The tribunal’s order requires swift action from local authorities. Noise levels must be monitored, and unauthorised systems must be regulated or removed. The MPPCB’s report will determine whether further measures are needed to address the issue.