Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court on Thursday directed authorities to verify whether lawns, marriage halls and club houses in Civil Lines area of the city possess valid permissions and comply with noise pollution regulations, warning that licences must be cancelled if violations are found.A division bench comprising Justices Anil Pansare and Nivedita Mehta issued the directives while hearing three PILs concerning noise pollution caused by social events held at such venues.The court observed that enforcement of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, and guidelines issued by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board rested with the local administration.During the hearing, counsel for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation informed the court that about 13 lawns, marriage halls and club houses are located in Civil Lines. These included Swagat Lawn and Hall, Great Grand Lawn, Season Lawn, Sarpanch Bhavan, Gondwana Club, CP Club, Srushti Lawn, Officers Club, Ladies Club, Prestige Hall and Lawn, Jawahar Vidyarthi Sabhagruha, Satpuda Lawn and Deshpande Sabhagruha.Referring to a circular by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on November 24, 2016, the bench noted that such establishments are required to install sewage treatment plants, maintain soundproofing systems and obtain prior permission from the competent authority before using loudspeakers, DJs or Dolby sound systems.When the court asked whether these establishments have secured the required permissions, the MPCB informed the bench that, barring a few exceptions, most did not obtain them.Taking note of the submission, the court directed collector, police and the municipal commissioners to verify the present status of licences granted to all lawns, marriage halls and club houses operating in the Civil Lines area.The bench said that if permissions were granted but the establishments were not complying with the prescribed conditions, the authorities must initiate appropriate action, including cancellation of licences.
