Patna: The Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) has stepped up preparations to tackle noise pollution during the upcoming festival season, directing police and civic authorities to enforce existing laws on the use of loudspeakers and DJs.
In a training session conducted via video conference on Thursday, 216 officers—including district officials, senior police personnel, municipal commissioners and town panchayat executives—were briefed on the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, and the Bihar Control of the Use and Play of Loudspeakers Act, 1955.
Member Secretary of the board, Neeraj Narayan, said that competent officers had already been designated under these laws and were expected to act firmly against violations. He asked all trainees to measure ambient noise levels during the festive period and submit detailed reports to the board.
Senior scientist Nalini Mohan Singh outlined the statutory provisions, reminding officers that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has fixed separate ambient noise standards for day and night. He also noted that permission from district or sub-divisional officers is mandatory for using loudspeakers, and that police officers of assistant sub-inspector rank or above have the power to confiscate equipment used illegally.
Under the Act, violators can face imprisonment of up to one month, fines of up to Rs 100, or both. Loudspeakers seized in such cases may also be forfeited to the state, subject to due process for owners not directly responsible.
Officials said the emphasis this year is on curbing excessive noise during Navratri, Diwali and Chhath Puja, when the widespread use of DJs and loudspeakers often breaches permissible limits.
