BMC uploads map of all 1,500 silence zones in Mumbai on its website
One of the maps uploaded on the BMC’s website
Mumbai’s civic body has uploaded maps which highlight all the 1500-odd silence zones in the city in a bid to make it easier for citizens to file noise-pollution related complaints.
Mumbai currently has 1,537 silence zones, most of which are within a 100-metre radius of schools, hospitals, religious places etc.
When asked about the mapping of silence zones, an official from the Environment Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) told HT, “The idea is to assist the implementing authority to have better vigilance during festivals and reduce the impact of noise near schools, colleges and hospitals.”
The official also added that they will issue a notification to alert police and other noise rules enforcement authorities about the maps.
According to Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), the sound levels dropped during this year’s Ganeshotsav in Mumbai. However, many a mandals completely disregarded the Bombay High Court order and breached silence zones by playing music on loudspeakers or drums.
All of BMC’s 24 wards worked towards creating a map of silence zones over the last five months. Reportedly, the number of silence zones in the city have increased from 1,177 in 2009 to 1,537 in 2015. However, 34 of them have not been marked in the map.
Social activists believe that putting the maps in public domains will help create awareness about the presence of silence zones, and encourage citizens to file complaints about any possible breaches.
In August, a division bench of the Bombay HC consisting Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Amjad Sayed also stated that citizens can claim compensations if their complaints about noise pollution are ignored by enforcement agencies. The matter is up for hearing on October 4.
Meanwhile, the silence zone map of each ward can be accessed from here.
