Noise levels breached during Diljit Dosanjh concert, UT submits affidavit in HC

The Union Territory of Chandigarh has told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that noise levels exceeded permissible limits during Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh’s concert held on December 14.

In an affidavit submitted before a Division Bench, the UT said action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Noise Pollution Rules has been proposed through a letter dated December 16.

“During the musical event of performer Diljit Dosanjh held on December 14, the noise levels were monitored at various locations and it was observed that the nose level exceeded the limits prescribed under The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, the 2000. Accordingly, action under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, has been proposed vide letter dated December 16.”

The affidavit comes less than a week after court directive imposing strict noise control measures for public events. The high court had permitted the concert subject to the condition that noise levels at the venue boundary must not exceed 75 dB(A).

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal had 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.”

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 Sector 34 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 had 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 had 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.”