Patna: Patna High Court has expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of its orders on noise pollution, summoning three station house officers and directing four sub-divisional police officers to submit affidavits.
A single bench of Justice Rajiv Roy was reviewing the matter on a petition filed by Surendra Kumar. During the hearing, government advocate Prashant Pratap submitted action reports from the SDOs of Patna City, Danapur, Masaurhi and Barh. While some details of enforcement were provided, the court noted gaps in compliance.
The court commended the report from Patna City SDO, which documented the confiscation of DJs, fines against violators and the introduction of a helpline for complaints. A similar helpline has been launched in Barh. Other SDOs have now been instructed to provide control room numbers.
Amicus Curiae Ajay raised concerns that DJ operators could harass those who lodge complaints. In response, the bench directed that the identity of complainants be kept confidential.
The court further stressed that noise and air pollution pose particular risks to children, the elderly and pregnant women, requiring stricter enforcement. It ordered that all complaints to helpline number 112 be registered and pressed for schools, colleges and hospitals to be declared ‘no horn zones’, coupled with regular public awareness drives.
The matter will next be heard on October 17.
