The West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) has asked all Durga Puja committees to send the contact details of contractors arranging sound at their pandals.
All pujas are supposed to install sound limiters so that the ambient noise does not cross 65 decibels.
The contact details of the contractors who set up pandal sound systems will help the WBPCB track them down if there is a complaint of violation of noise rules, said a WBPCB official. Webel has manufactured sound limiters that puja organisers can buy, the official said.
Puja committees have to fill out an online form while applying for the no-objection certificate (NOC) from police, where they have to provide details of the contractor arranging the sound.
The WBPCB is creating a sticker to be mandatorily displayed over amplifiers confirming that the sound limiter has been attached to it. This was a demand made by Sabuj Mancha, a platform of green activists. The stickers will be given when the sound limiters are purchased.
The WBPCB held a meeting with many Puja committees on Friday where they were again told to install sound limiters.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had in an order on July 26 told the state government that all “sound limiters in all Sound Systems/Public Address Systems must be ensured for effective control of noise pollution”. The NGT’s order said: “The Government of West Bengal may issue appropriate notification for mandatory use of Sound Limiters in all Sound Systems.”
A WBPCB official, however, said board officials would not suo motu visit pandals for checks. “We have trained a large number of police personnel who will check whether limiters are fitted to the sound system. Residents can also complain to us if they suspect the sound is more than 65 decibel,” said the official.
Rajesh Kumar, member secretary of the WBPCB, said: “I have already written to all commissioners and superintendents of police about sound limiters. Many complaints have been coming on the use of DJ (a musical system that blares high decibel sound and crosses permissible noise limit)...”
Residents can lodge complaints on WBPBC’s toll-free number 1800-345-3390 or its Paribesh app.
“Sound limiters fitted with the sound system does not allow the sound to go beyond a limit. If the organisers raise the volume beyond 65 decibel, even then the sound limiter will not allow the sound emitted to go above 65 decibel,” said the PCB official.