Pune: As the world observed International Noise Awareness Day on April 30, citizens of Pune were once again left grappling with a growing noise pollution crisis—fueled by urban expansion and a lack of decisive action from authorities. Despite repeated complaints, residents say that both the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) have failed to address the issue effectively, with agencies passing the buck instead of taking concrete measures.
Pune’s rapid development has led to rising levels of air, water, and particularly noise pollution. However, enforcement of noise limits remains weak, even though the MPCB holds the legal authority to penalize violators, with fines running into lakhs of rupees. Citizens say this power is rarely exercised, and the board has not made any violation data public, further eroding public trust.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has laid down specific noise level guidelines: residential areas should not exceed 55 decibels during the day and 45 at night; commercial zones are capped at 65 dB in the day and 55 at night; and silence zones near schools or hospitals must stay under 50 dB in the day and 40 at night. But these norms are regularly flouted in Pune, with loudspeakers, traffic noise, construction activity, and public celebrations all contributing to the noise overload.
Residents from across the city continue to voice their concerns. In Kalyani Nagar, residents complain of unchecked use of sound systems during events, constant honking, and ongoing construction disturbances. They say enforcement by PMC is nearly absent, and while police respond at times, the MPCB has not provided updated noise level data or shown visible enforcement on the ground.
Similar grievances come from Hadapsar, where locals report blaring music and chaos during festivals, with no helpline or real-time assistance available from civic authorities. Residents feel stuck between departments, none of which take full responsibility for resolving the situation.
The confusion is exacerbated by the lack of coordination among agencies. According to officials from MPCB, their jurisdiction covers larger industries and major construction sites, while local housing-related noise and road traffic falls under PMC and traffic police. This fragmented structure has led to a situation where no single authority takes full accountability, leaving residents to deal with the consequences.
With no dedicated helpline, no real-time monitoring, and limited access to official noise pollution data, Pune citizens are increasingly disillusioned. Many feel that unless all relevant authorities—PMC, MPCB, and the police—come together with a unified strategy, the city’s noise problem will only worsen.
