Pune Residents Rally Against Deafening DJ and Loudspeaker Noise
Residents of Pune took to the streets on September 6 to demand strict action against excessive DJ and loudspeaker noise. The protesters called for stronger enforcement of noise regulations and greater transparency in monitoring and penalising violations.
Pune: Growing concerns over excessive noise during public celebrations have brought Pune residents together in protest. On Sunday, September 6, members of the Pune Citizens Against Loudspeakers forum organised a march from Balgandharva Chowk to the Pune Municipal Corporation, seeking stricter measures against loud DJs and loudspeakers.
Citizens gathered at the starting point before the march began, carrying placards and banners highlighting the impact of excessive noise. The protest focused on the need to control noise pollution during festivals and public events, with participants demanding that existing noise regulations be implemented more effectively.
The protesters said restrictions should apply not only during Ganesh celebrations but also to religious, social and political events where high-volume sound systems are used. They urged authorities to take preventive action before events begin instead of waiting for noise violations to occur.
The forum also submitted a set of demands to the administration. These include making information about responsible officials publicly accessible, publishing real-time noise-level data, regularly disclosing details of action taken against violations and considering compensation in cases where excessive noise causes physical or psychological harm.
The campaign has also gained traction on social media, where citizens have been coming together under the banner of the Pune Citizens Against Loudspeakers forum. The organisers have argued that Pune should receive the same level of enforcement against excessive sound that residents in other cities have been demanding.
The protest was presented as a non-political campaign, with citizens, social organisations and individuals associated with different political groups participating independently. Organisers have indicated that further action could follow if the authorities do not respond to their demands.
With the Ganesh festival season underway, the movement has put the issue of noise pollution back in the spotlight and increased pressure on the Pune administration to ensure that prescribed noise limits are followed.