Nagpur police clarify stand on DJ, Dolby, multilayer sound systems ahead of Ganeshotsav

With Ganeshotsav approaching, the Nagpur police administration has announced its stand on the use of DJs, Dolby systems, multilayer sound systems and laser beams. The police have already issued the necessary instructions to the DJ-Dolby Association and Ganesh mandals, and have also carried out awareness and guidance drives on how to comply with noise pollution rules.

The police administration clarified that no political, caste-based or religious discrimination is being made in this entire process. Action taken during the festival period is not being carried out arbitrarily but strictly as per applicable laws, rules and court orders, the administration said. It also noted that complaints received from citizens through the police control room are being acted upon as per rules.

The police clarified that a sound system operating within the prescribed decibel limit and in accordance with the rules will not be shut down merely because it produces sound. In other words, mandals and organisers who follow the rules will not be harassed without reason. However, they said it is necessary to keep under control the multilayer sound systems created by putting together large numbers of mid, bass and top speakers.

At many places, a large "sound wall" is set up by combining six, eight or more bass, mid and top speakers together. Such systems can increase the impact and reach of sound over a wide area. It is for this reason that the police are taking preventive measures with regard to multilayer or modified sound systems.

Complying with the decibel limits set according to area and time for noise pollution is mandatory. Different sound standards apply during the day and at night for industrial, commercial, residential and silence zones. The administration clarified that these standards are being enforced strictly as per the relevant legal provisions and court orders.

Phase-wise meetings and discussions have been held between the police administration, Ganesh mandals, the DJ-Dolby Association and other stakeholders. Information about the rules and expectations were clarified through these discussions. The administration reiterated that those celebrating the festival within the framework of the rules will not be harassed without reason, but action will be taken against sound systems that violate the rules.

The police administration has appealed to citizens and Ganesh mandals to ignore rumours and misunderstandings and comply with the sound-related rules, and to route any complaint or difficulty to the police administration only through official channels.