The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday directed authorities to verify whether lawns, marriage halls and clubhouses in the city’s Civil Lines area have valid permissions and are complying with noise pollution norms, warning that licences must be cancelled in case of violations.
A division bench of Justices Anil Pansare and Nivedita Mehta issued the directions while hearing three PILs related to noise pollution caused by social events at such venues. The court observed that enforcement of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 and guidelines of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board lies with the local administration.
During the hearing, counsel for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation informed the court that around 13 lawns, marriage halls and clubhouses operate in Civil Lines.
These include Swagat Lawn and Hall, Great Grand Lawn, Season Lawn, Sarpanch Bhavan, Gondwana Club, CP Club, Srushti Lawn, Officers Club, Ladies Club, Prestige Hall and Lawn, Jawahar Vidyarthi Sabhagruha, Satpuda Lawn and Deshpande Sabhagruha.
Referring to a November 24, 2016 circular issued by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, the bench noted that such establishments must install sewage treatment plants, ensure soundproofing and obtain prior permission from competent authorities before using loudspeakers, DJs or Dolby systems.
When asked whether these venues had obtained the necessary permissions, the pollution control board informed the court that, except for a few, most had not.
Taking note of this, the bench directed the district collector, police and municipal authorities to verify the licence status of all such establishments in Civil Lines. It added that if venues are found violating conditions despite having permissions, strict action, including cancellation of licences, must be taken.
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