Silence zones,recession ensure quieter Ganeshotsav

“There are a few Ganesh pandals set up near KEM Hospital. But unlike last year,the mandal organisers have taken an effort to keep the noise level low this time,” said and employee of a chemist store near KEM.

Last month,after the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board directed all mandals to ban the use of speakers and crackers in the 100-metre periphery of schools,hospitals,courts and religious places,nearly 10,000 public mandals had appealed for the relaxation of norms to BMC. However,the government had rejected their plea.

Naresh Dahibaokar,vice-president of the BMC committee that coordinates between the civic body and 10,247 public mandals,said,“We have managed to get an agreement from all mandals to comply with the HC ruling. The noise level during the Ganesh festival should be below 50 dB and 40 dB.”

Professor V B Rokade,principal of Dr T K Tope College,which conducts classes from 5 pm-10 pm in the RM Bhatt High School,Gokhale Society Lane in Parel,said,“Last year,till the last day of ganesh immersion,mandals have used musical instruments,loud speakers and fire crackers. However,the din has been comparatively low this year so far.”

Dahibaokar added,“This year several small mandals have raised funds on their own. As a result,many have cut down extra expenses.”