MC OFFICER PUT ON NOTICE FOR NOD TO MOBILE TOWERS AT SHOW

Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee submits report to DC regarding violation of noise pollution norms during December 14 concert

- HT Correspondent

CHANDIGARH: Despite clear directions from the Punjab and Haryana high court, noise levels during the December 14 concert by Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh in Sector 34 exceeded permissible limits, as reported by the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC).

In its report submitted to the Chandigarh deputy commissioner on Monday, the CPCC found that noise levels during the event ranged from 70 to 80 decibels, violating the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.

Deputy commissioner Nishant Yadav himself was also in attendance at the event while the court guidelines were violated.

The high court, in its December 13 directions, had mandated that noise levels at the concert should not exceed 75 decibels (A-weighted) and instructed that penal action be taken against organisers if these limits were reached. The directions had come following a public interest litigation (PIL) by Sector 23 resident Ranjeet Singh, who sought directions to prevent concerts at the venue unless adequate measures were implemented to address noise concerns. The court had further directed submission of a compliance report by December 18.

While hearing another petition on noise pollution on November 14, the court had also directed that police must register an FIR in case of noise pollution violations, and emphasised that district magistrates and superintendents of police in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh should remain vigilant and take swift legal action in response to citizen complaints.

The district magistrate and superintendent of police will be held personally liable for violating guidelines laid down by the court, the HC bench had noted.