HC go-ahead to Diljit concert, but with strict noise-control measures
A day before the much-anticipated concert by Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh in the city, the Punjab and Haryana High Court allowed the event, but imposed stringent conditions to ensure compliance with noise pollution regulations.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal court directed that ambient air quality standards for noise be strictly maintained, with the maximum permissible limit set at 75 dB(A) at the boundary of the venue for the concert — the Exhibition Ground in Sector 34.
The Bench asserted that any breach of the prescribed noise limits would attract penal action. “In case the noise level increases beyond 75 db(A), the official respondents are directed to take penal action against the organisers as prescribed by the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control Rules) 2000,” said the court.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by an advocate seeking directions to the Union Territory of Chandigarh regarding the management of public events at the Exhibition Ground. Among other things, the petitioner had raised concerns over public safety, traffic disruptions, environmental pollution and fundamental rights violations related to a concert held on December 7, and an upcoming event on December 14. The UT of Chandigarh was represented by senior standing counsel Amit Jhanji, with counsel Abhinav Sood, Sumit Jain, Himanshu Arora, Anmol Gupta, Nitesh Jhajhria, Mehndi Singhal, Eliza Gupta and Sayyam Garg
Referring to the provisions of the Noise Pollution Rules, the Bench asserted that noise
levels at the venue’s boundary must not exceed 10 dB(A) above the ambient standards prescribed. According to the schedule appended to the rules, the permissible noise level in a commercial area during the daytime from 7 am to 10 pm was 65 dB(A). Adding the allowed 10 dB(A), the maximum limit came out to be 75 dB(A).
Before parting with the order, the Bench asserted: “Looking at the preparations made by the official respondents as well as the private respondent-event organisers, the court has no hesitation in allowing the event to take place, subject to adherence to the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise are maintained….”
The petitioner filed by advocate Ranjeet Singh had referred to chaos caused by a previous concert, which severely impacted traffic flow and hindered emergency services and daily activities. He contended that the lack of proper planning for such events infringed upon citizens’ fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution, while referring to the authorities’ failure to enforce relevant laws such as the Motor Vehicles Act and environmental regulations.
He also drew attention to the environmental damage caused by the high-decibel sound systems and excessive lighting, which violated the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. The plea also called for the designation of alternative event venues and the formulation of event guidelines to ensure better management in the future, safeguarding public welfare and rights.
