Only three of the 13 venues in Nagpur’s Civil Lines — CP Club, Gondwana Club, and Ladies Club — have valid permissions, while the remaining 10 face scrutiny. The court has warned of strict action, including licence cancellations.
Taking a tough stand against rising noise and air pollution in the city’s upscale Civil Lines area, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has sharply criticised the administration for failing to enforce the law effectively.
Hearing multiple PILs along with a suo motu case, a Division Bench of Justices Anil Pansare and Nivedita Mehta expressed serious concern over the authorities’ inaction, noting a clear lack of intent to implement regulations.
“VIP area turned violation hub”
The court was taken aback to find that out of 13 prominent marriage lawns and clubs in Civil Lines, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation has proper permission records for only three — CP Club, Gondwana Club, and Ladies Club. The status of the remaining venues, including Swagat Lawn, remains unclear and largely unchecked.
The Civil Lines area houses several event venues such as 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.
Calling the situation alarming, the Bench observed that large-scale events continue in blatant violation of rules, effectively turning a designated VIP zone into a hotspot for noise and environmental violations. The court also criticised the police and civic authorities, terming their response inadequate and insensitive to public health concerns.
It questioned the deployment of just one Assistant Police Inspector to handle such widespread violations and raised concerns over the routine use of Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code in such cases, indicating weak enforcement.
Referring to earlier Supreme Court rulings, the Bench highlighted the ecological damage caused by unchecked noise pollution, noting that loudspeakers and firecrackers are driving birds away from urban habitats.
Stern warning to officials
The court made it clear that continued negligence will invite strict accountability, warning that officials could be held personally responsible if the situation does not improve.
To address the issue, it issued a set of stringent directives:
- Fresh permissions mandatory: All lawn, club, and banquet operators, along with event managers and sound operators, must reapply and submit affidavits ensuring compliance with noise norms.
- Strict decibel limits: Noise levels must not exceed 55 dB in residential areas and 50 dB in silent zones between 6 am and 10 pm.
- Night-time ban: Complete prohibition on sound systems from 10 pm to 6 am.
- Speaker restrictions: Loudspeakers must not be installed above 15 feet and should face inward.
- Awareness boards: All venues must display information on the harmful effects of noise and air pollution.
- Public complaint system: The state government has been directed to launch an online portal for citizens to report violations, with mandatory disclosure of action taken.
Licences at risk
The court reiterated that authorities must immediately verify compliance of all such establishments with the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000, and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board guidelines.
It issued a clear warning — any violation should lead to immediate cancellation of licences.
With this strong intervention, the High Court has sent a clear message: environmental violations under the guise of celebrations will no longer be tolerated.
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com