After identifying 2,047 silence zones in the city, including 1,260 schools, 710 hospitals and 77 courts, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) now wants Rs 3 crore sanctioned as quickly as possible in order to install signboards at designated points.

Since this work was not mentioned in this year’s budget, the proposal to clear funds will now be tabled before the standing committee.

In the silence zones, sounds exceeding 50 dB will not be allowed between 6 am and 10 pm while the limit will be 40 dB between 10 pm and 6 am.

There will be restrictions on horns, loud music during festivals, noisy announcements, public rallies and so on.

“As per directions of environment department of the state government issued on April 21, local governing bodies including the municipal corporations were given the responsibility of creating silence zones in the city. Accordingly, we identified 2,047 such zones across Pune around educational institutions, hospitals and courts,” said PMC Additional Commissioner Umakant Dangat.

“However, since this move was based on a government notification, which had to be done quickly, there was no chance of putting it under a head in the PMC annual budget. We are now seeking approval from the standing committee for the necessary funds for setting up signboards in silence zones. We need at least Rs 3 crore. Once the funds are cleared, it will not take more than a couple of months for the silence zones to become functional,” he said.

The police have been empowered to take disciplinary action against violators of noise limits while the civic body’s job will be to provide them the necessary infrastructure.