Chandrapur bans Dolby, plasma and pressure-mid sound systems during festivals

The district administration in Chandrapur has taken a major step to maintain law and order during Ganeshotsav, Dhammachakra Anupravartan Din and Durgotsav. District Magistrate Vasumana Pant has banned the use of Dolby sound systems (top, mid, bass multi-speaker), plasma sound systems and pressure-mid sound systems. Vehicles used to transport these sound systems, including those modified for the purpose, have also been banned. The prohibitory order has been issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

The order will remain in force across the district from midnight of September 16, 2026 to 11.59 pm on November 1, 2026. During this period, several festivals and events are due to be held in the district, including processions for the arrival and immersion of Ganesh idols, Ganeshotsav, Dhammachakra Anupravartan Din, and processions for the arrival and immersion of Durga idols. The administration fears that at some places during these events, vehicles could be modified to carry multi-speaker Dolby sound systems with top, mid and bass units stacked layer upon layer like a wall.

The order states that the use of such high-capacity sound systems could create tension and law and order problems between mandal office-bearers, workers, office-bearers of various political parties and organisations, and the police administration. It also raised the possibility that such sound systems could violate the noise limits set under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.

Under the order, owners and keepers of Dolby sound systems (top, mid, bass multi-speaker), plasma sound systems, pressure-mid sound systems, and the vehicles used to transport and modified for this purpose must seal their sound systems and vehicles themselves and keep them in their own custody. These must not be used at all during the entire period of the ban. The directive applies to office-bearers of Ganeshotsav and Durgadevi mandals as well as organisers of Dhammachakra Anupravartan Din programmes.

The order does not apply to sound systems that do not violate the noise limits set under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. The district administration has appealed to all concerned sound system owners, vehicle owners, office-bearers of Ganesh and Durgadevi mandals, and organisers of various events in the district to strictly comply with the District Magistrate's order.