Chennai: In order to curb the menace of noise pollution in public/other places, the Madras high court has said the use of cone speakers/loudspeakers in public places shall be banned/restricted in the interest of public and more particularly, the children and aged persons.
“The state shall instruct all authorities to take appropriate action against users of cone speakers/loudspeakers in public places and/or in religious places in violation of the provisions of the noise pollution (regulation and control) rules, 2000, and ensure that the usage of cone speakers are curtailed and the usage of any other sound systems would be permitted within the permitted parameters”, said Justice R.Mahadevan.
Recording the statement made by parish priest of Infant Jesus shrine, R.K.Puram, Tiruchirappalli, agreeing to remove the cone speakers and also undertaking to conduct prayers in a peaceful manner without causing any noise pollution, the judge disposed of a petition from Ashtalakshmi Nagar, Ashtalakshmi Nagar Extension and R.K.Nagar Kudiyiruppor Nala Sangam, which sought a direction to take appropriate action against the parish priest of Infant Jesus shrine, which was creating noise pollution by using prohibited horn type loudspeakers without getting any permission or license.
The awareness campaigns shall be conducted about the ill-effects of cone speakers/loudspeakers in order to curb the menace of noise pollution. Any violation in complying with the provisions of the Noise pollution (regulation and control) rules be taken note of by the authorities concerned and action be initiated against the persons concerned in accordance with law and the instruments used for such violation be seized and confiscated immediately.
“Those, who are conducting the public meetings, shall also scrupulously follow the directions issued in this order, while using the sound system. The public secretary shall communicate this order to all the district collectors, who in turn, shall intimate the same to all the subordinate officers for compliance forthwith”, the judge added and posted the matter after three months for reporting compliance.
