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The government has formulated the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2025, removing limitations of the previous rules, bringing clarity to some key regulatory issues, and expanding enforcement authority.
Previously, only magistrates were empowered to take actions against noise pollution, making it difficult to achieve desired outcomes with limited manpower. But, the new rules empower the traffic police - officers not below the rank of sergeant - to impose penalties on the spot for the offences committed under Sub-rules (2), (3) or (4) or Rules 6.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a gazette notification in this regard on Monday to strengthen noise control measures across the country.
In a statement, the ministry said the previous rules had several limitations and lacked clarity on key regulatory issues, which hindered effective enforcement. The new rules have been formulated to address those gaps by taking new needs, realities, and use of technology into considerations.
There were no specific punitive measures in the previous rules related to use of horns, one of the main reasons of sound pollution, their import, manufacturing, storage, and sale. The new rules have introduced clear punitive measures in this connection to ensure controlled use of horns.
Several additional directives have been incorporated in the updated rules, including ban on the use of loudspeakers, microphones, amplifiers, or musical instruments in public places without written permission; prohibition of picnics in natural forests and wildlife habitats; and fixing a maximum noise limit of 90 decibels for social events with a mandatory ending time of 9 PM.
The new rules also impose ban on use of fireworks, horns or similar noise-generating items in quiet zones; put restrictions on night-time construction; provide new provisions for controlling noise from industrial establishments and generators; and offer alignment of penalties with the Road Transport Act 2018.
Munni_fe@yahoo.com