Pune: Noise pollution offences in Maharashtra nearly trebled in two years, increasing from 247 in 2024 to 328 in 2025 and 689 till Sept this year, the state police informed National Green Tribunal (NGT).In an affidavit filed on Tuesday in a case related to noise pollution, the office of the director general of police (DGP) admitted that violations were not restricted to unauthorised loudspeakers. Even those operating with valid permissions flouted prescribed noise limits, it stated. The affidavit said police had issued circulars laying down procedures for handling complaints and taking action against violators.“Noise pollution norms are being violated at times by both illegally installed loudspeakers and those installed with permits. Therefore, it was decided that action needs to be taken under the Maharashtra Police Act against such loudspeakers, whether they are installed illegally or with permission but still violate the regulations,” the affidavit stated.The DGP’s office said local police stations had been directed to measure noise levels in their respective jurisdictions and submit monthly reports on violations to the special inspector general of police (law and order) and the regional officers of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). A circular was issued in this regard in July 2025.The affidavit also stated that instructions had been issued to all police commissioners and superintendents of police (SPs) last month to strictly implement the Bombay high court’s direction on the use of firecrackers across Maharashtra. The high court in its Sept 22 order directed a complete ban on bursting firecrackers during festivities on streets and roads, asking authorities to take measures to prevent air and noise pollution.The affidavit was filed in response to a petition by Pune-based audiologist and noise pollution activist Kalyani Mandke. She approached NGT over alleged noise violations caused by loudspeakers during the Ganesh festival and other public events.Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) told the tribunal that the enforcement of noise pollution norms was the responsibility of police, MPCB and other state agencies concerned. It said it had sought enforcement-related data for the preceding three years from state pollution control boards across the country, but MPCB had not provided the required information by the time CPCB filed its affidavit.Mandke said the matter, scheduled for hearing on Thursday, had been adjourned to Jan. She said her original petition was restricted to noise pollution during festivals in Pune, but its scope widened after NGT took suo motu cognisance of the issue last year.“We have urged the authorities to at least start implementing the norms in declared silence zones, such as around hospitals. Violations are reported there also,” she said, adding that there was a lack of clear regulations for the use of loudspeakers in Maharashtra.Mandke said noise pollution was no longer a problem restricted to festivals but a year-round issue. “It needs strict implementation of the prescribed norms throughout the year,” she said.She welcomed the police department’s disclosure of offence figures, saying complaints had been made for years without adequate enforcement or access to data on action taken against violators. “People have been complaining about it for years, but there was no enforcement action. We had repeatedly approached the authorities seeking data on action against such violations but did not receive any information. It is good that the police have now shared the number of offences registered, indicating that these violations are at least being recorded,” she said.
