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The state government shall take
measures for abatement of noise including noise emanating from
vehicular movements and ensure that the existing noise levels do
not exceed the ambient air quality standards (see Box) specified
under these rules.
All development authorities, local
bodies and other concerned authorities while planning
developmental activity or carrying out functions relating to
town and country planning shall take into consideration all
aspects of noise pollution as a parameter of quality of life to
avoid noise menace and to achieve the objective of maintaining
the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise.
(Ambient air quality standards in respect of noise for
different areas/zones)
The noise levels in any area/zone shall not
exceed the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise as
specified in the Schedule.
The authority shall be responsible
for the enforcement of noise pollution control measures and the
due compliance of the ambient air quality standards in respect
of noise.
(Responsibility as to enforcement of noise pollution control
measures)
A person may, if the noise level
exceeds the ambient noise standards by 10 dB(A) or more given in
the corresponding columns against any area/zone, make a
complaint to the authority
The authority shall act on the complaint and take action against
the violator in accordance with the provisions of these rules
and any other law in force.
(Complaints to be made to the authority)
[You don’t need to
measure the noise. It has to be beyond the ‘tolerable’ level to
have irritated you] |
Exams are knocking at the door. You
must be studying hard. What if some construction work begins in your
neighbourhood? Imagine studying amidst the loud drilling sound, hammers
banging on your eardrums, and rollers running at full speed…
You can stop this. As a citizen of this country, there are laws and
regulations to help you. You need to know them and use them.
Let's learn a bit about the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.
 Under
this law, every area is categorised into four major sections: industrial
area, commercial area, residential area, and the silence zone (minimum
100 metres of area around hospitals, educational institutions, and
courts). Each one has a set ‘ambient air quality standards’
with respect to noise. The level of pollutants (here noise) prescribed by law cannot be exceeded during a specified time in an area. [See
box]
If the noise level exceeds this by at least 10 units [dB(A)], you can
complain to any officer authorised by the Centre or the
state government, such as a District Magistrate or Police Commissioner.
He can issue directions to prevent, prohibit, control, or regulate the
cause of the noise. But first, a one-to-one interaction between you and
the “culprit” would be arranged.
 The
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