Under Rule 5 of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 use of loudspeakers/public address system is restricted in the following manner:

A) They can only be used after obtaining permission from any authority or officer authorised by the Central Government, or as the case may be, the State Government in accordance with the laws in force and includes a District Magistrate, Police Commissioner, or any other officer, not below the rank of the Deputy Superintendent of Police, designated for the maintenance of the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise under any law for the time being in force.

B) The loudspeaker or a public address system shall not be used at night (between 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.) except in closed premises for communication within, e.g. auditoria, conference rooms, community halls and banquet halls.

C) The State Government may, subject to such terms and conditions as are necessary to reduce noise pollution, permit use of loudspeakers or public address systems during night hours (between 10.00 p.m. to 12.00 midnight) on or during any cultural or religious festive occasion of a limited duration not exceeding fifteen days in all during a calendar year.

Further the Supreme Court of India has passed the following directions in Noise Pollution (V), In re, (2005) 5 SCC 733 at page 782:

1. The noise level at the boundary of the public place, where loudspeaker or public address system or any other noise source is being used shall not exceed 10 dB(A) above the ambient noise standards for the area or 75 dB(A) whichever is lower.

2. No one shall beat a drum or tom-tom or blow a trumpet or beat or sound any instrument or use any sound amplifier at night (between 10.00 p.m. and 6 a.m.) except in public emergencies.

3. The peripheral noise level of privately-owned sound system shall not exceed by more than 5 dB(A) than the ambient air-quality standard specified for the area in which it is used, at the boundary of the private place.

8 comments

  • Sir and madam,bhut prasaan hu qk aazan pe rok nhi but ye 4 am se 4.40am tak kuch apna ye sub bhut loud programs daily keta h ,isse bhut dikkat hoti h … Plz help

  • Noise pollution is worst in India. I didn’t see this level of noise pollution anywhere in the world.
    Sounds of loud speakers from political rallies/meetings, devotional songs from religious places, preaches from religious places, sounds of horns from vehicles, diesel autorikshaws etc. are worst.

    We need to stop the noise pollution.

  • Hey I just wanna say that why using a loud speaker if you want then use column speaker and use it as a loud speaker. There are so many column speakers that many companies are providing.

  • Local Authority with an NGO has set up a Public Address system Infront of my Home. It is played from 9 AM to 9 PM continually. Sometimes all night. We cannot concentrate on work, study. We are depressed just because of it. How can we complaint about it. Please suggest.

    • You just complain to district magistrate/collector

  • Using a loudspeaker in the name of devotion (?????) ,throughout the day and night is not a good thing.
    Good steps by the authority. Thank you

  • We live in erandavane area in Pune City. We have surrounded by many Zopadpatti vasti. Any festival comes and they use loudspeaker. These all ganpati mandala, most of them are goons and useless youngsters. But they have no fear of police. We complaint many times about their illegal activities but no authority is taking any action. Right now also on occasion of Ganeshjanm Pooja, there are so loud noise is going on even after 10 pm and on other side youngsters are driving alcohol. What to do?

  • thanks

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