Pune: As Ganeshotsav approaches, residents have reiterated their demand for strict enforcement of noise regulations, urging authorities to ensure festival celebrations remain within prescribed decibel limits.Balewadi Welfare Forum, representing residents and housing societies, recently submitted a memorandum to police seeking measures to keep loudspeaker volumes under control during the festival. Dhayari residents have also appealed to the administration to regulate sound levels during Ganesh processions and maintain constant engagement with mandals on the issue.A delegation of Balewadi Welfare Forum, comprising Ramesh Rokade, Daffedar Singh, Ashish Kotamkar, Vandana Chaudhary, Milind Joshirao, Balasaheb Dandawate and KN Peethambaram, met police officers to press for a peaceful Ganeshotsav in the Baner-Balewadi area. According to the delegation, police assured them that meetings had already been conducted with major Ganesh mandals regarding compliance with noise norms.The demand comes amid growing public concern over high-decibel celebrations. Two protest marches have already been held in the city seeking adherence to stipulated sound limits. Vikas Kulkarni, who participated in both demonstrations, said citizens were not opposed to the festival itself but to excessive noise caused by powerful amplifiers and sound systems.“People are not against Ganeshotsav. The objection is to dangerously high sound levels that affect public health and quality of life,” Kulkarni said. Citizens campaigning for quieter festivities have also come together under the banner of ‘Speaker-free Pune’.The residents have stressed that awareness and enforcement efforts must continue throughout the festival season. Ashutosh Jadhav of Model Colony said reducing noise pollution required sustained cooperation between authorities, residents and Ganesh mandals. “Awareness cannot be a one-time exercise. Continuous efforts are needed to encourage mandals to use fewer speakers and keep sound levels under control. The administration must maintain regular dialogue with mandals,” he said.Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party’s Pune city unit has sought stricter monitoring of sound levels despite police guidelines limiting Ganesh mandals to four speakers. AAP member Mukund Kirdat alleged that several mandals violated noise regulations during Dahi Handi celebrations and warned that merely restricting the number of speakers may not be enough. “Four speakers and four bass units can still generate sound well above permissible limits. The focus should be on actual decibel levels, backed by strict monitoring and enforcement,” Kirdat added.
