UP says No to noise pollution; orders removal of loudspeakers from religious, public places

Lucknow, January 8: To control noise pollution caused by loudspeakers, Uttar Pradesh cops have been asked to take away all loudspeakers present at the public and religious places. The Allahabad court has instructed the cops to form teams and submit a report on January 10.

Principle Secretary Home Arvind Kumar has directed the authorities across the State to conduct survey about installed loudspeakers by 10th of this month to keep noise pollution under control.

He said, no loudspeakers will be allowed at Public places without permission from competent authorities beyond 15th of this month. He said, a government order giving detailed instructions has been issued on the directions of the Allahabad High Court regarding ensuring implementation of noise pollution control rules.

Hearing a PIL on December 20 last year, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had directed that the loudspeakers installed at public places should not continue without permission.

It said, the loudspeakers cannot have sound level more than 10 decibel above ambient noise level at the periphery of a public place and 5 decibel above ambient noise level at the periphery of a private place.