Noise Annoys, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• The Patna High Court acknowledged DJ trolleys and loudspeakers as major sources of noise pollution in Patna.
• In a February 2025 hearing, the court criticized the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) for its failure to curb noise pollution.
• Justice Rajiv Roy directed the BSPCB to obtain police reports on permissions granted and actions taken against noise violators.
• The High Court issued statewide directives in August 2025, emphasizing proactive enforcement and registration of sound operators.
• The directives included a mandate for loudspeakers to cease playing at 9:55 p.m., five minutes before the legal 10 p.m. cut-off.

Detailed Insights:

• The court's intervention stemmed from the case of Surendra Prasad vs State of Bihar.
• Police reports from October 2024 showed inconsistent enforcement, with actions in some areas but none in Masaurhi.
• The High Court's actions underscore the challenge of dismal enforcement despite comprehensive noise pollution laws.
• The court advocated for a shift from complaints-based to routine enforcement to ensure consistent regulation.
• Directives for operator registration aim to eliminate selective interventions and ensure equitable regulation.
• The right to be protected from unlawful noise is recognized as part of the fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Article 21: Guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, interpreted to include the right to a pollution-free environment.
• Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB): A statutory body responsible for implementing environmental laws and regulations in Bihar.
• Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000: Central rules that prescribe ambient noise standards and regulate noise-generating activities.