Chandrapur bans Dolby, plasma sound systems till November 1

The Chandrapur district administration has imposed restrictions on the use of Dolby, plasma and pressuremid sound systems across the district. The decision was taken to maintain law and order during Ganeshotsav, Dhammachakra Anupravartan Din and Durgotsav. District Magistrate Vasumana Pant issued the prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.

The order came into effect from midnight on September 16, 2026, and will remain in force across Chandrapur district until 11:59 pm on November 1, 2026. During this period, the district will see several festivals and events, including the arrival and immersion processions of Ganesh idols, Ganeshotsav, Dhammachakra Anupravartan Din, and the arrival and immersion processions of Durga idols. At some such events, multiple speakers of Dolby sound systems -- top, mid and base -- are stacked one over another to form a wall-like structure, and the administration fears vehicles are being modified for use in transporting and operating such systems.

The order states that the use of such high-capacity sound systems could create tension between office-bearers and workers of mandals, various political parties and organisations, and the police administration, potentially leading to a law and order problem. It also notes that such sound systems could violate the noise limits prescribed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.

Under the order, owners and holders of Dolby sound systems (top, mid, base multi-speaker), plasma sound systems, pressuremid sound systems, and vehicles modified for transporting such systems have been directed to keep them in their custody in a sealed condition. These systems cannot be used in any manner during the prohibitory period. The same directions will apply to office-bearers of Ganeshotsav and Durga Devi mandals as well as organisers of Dhammachakra Anupravartan Din events.

The prohibitory order will not apply to sound systems that do not exceed the noise limits prescribed under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. The district administration has appealed to all concerned sound system owners, vehicle holders, office-bearers of Ganesh and Durga Devi mandals, and organisers of various events in the district to strictly comply with the district magistrate's order.