Noise From Vehicles

Last updated on Aug 24, 2022

Vehicles are a common source of noise pollution in India. You can be fined if you misuse your vehicle horn by:

  • Sounding the horn in a silent zone
  • Sounding the horn needlessly or continuously in a manner which is more than necessary to ensure your or others’ safety
  • Sounding the horn during night time (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) in residential areas except during a public emergency.
  • Sounding a multi-toned horn that gives an unduly harsh, shrill, loud or alarming noise.

Even at the manufacturing stage of cars there are noise limits which have to be followed otherwise you will be punished with jail time and fine 

Silencers

Every motor vehicle including agricultural tractors have to be fitted with a silencer which by means of an expansion chamber or otherwise so that it reduces as far as practicable possible, the noise made by the escape of exhaust gages from the engine.

Airports

Airports are also regulated to prevent noise pollution. The noise standards only apply to busy airports which have more than 50,000 aircraft movements per year and not to:

  • Civil airports which have less than 15000 aircraft movement annually
  • Defense aircraft, aircraft landing and take off noise, aircraft engines, helipad locations.

If airports do not follow the noise standards given below then the authorities will take action against the airport.

 

Type of Airport Limits in dB(A) Leq* (Day Time from 6.00 am. to 10.00 p.m) Limits in dB(A) Leq* (Night Time from (10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m)
Industrial area 70 65
Commercial area 65 60

 

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Comments

sameet kamat

September 15, 2022

I have a complaint against a Rickshaw driver who has modified his horn and honks a lot of times during the day till midnight
We at the Aundh society in pune near D mart are very disturbed because of it .
Let me know what action can be taken and where ?

Nyaaya

October 7, 2022

Officials of the Pune rural police have shared their WhatsApp number to allow people to complain against violations of noise pollution norms. People can contact ‘100’ of the police control room or can send a message on 9422405421 for noise pollution-related complaints under the jurisdiction of Pune rural police.
Further number and email id for a complaining is given in this link…
https://www.pmc.gov.in/en/police-department-contact-list-noise-complaints

Additionally,
You can approach the nearest District Magistrate (Court) with the help of a lawyer to complain about noise pollution. The Court has the power to temporarily stop or remove the nuisance caused by noise pollution. The Court may pass the following orders after hearing out the person who caused the noise pollution:
-Temporary order or injunction to stop the noise
-Order to remove the noise or regulate it
-Permanent order to remove the noise pollutant and stop the noise

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a specialised judicial body where you can go to file environmental cases including noise pollution cases. The NGT was set up to:
-Provide effective and expeditious remedies for environmental protection,
-Conservation of forests and other natural resources
-Enforcement of any legal right relating to the environment.
The NGT’s orders are binding and it has power to grant relief in the form of compensation to affected persons.

Filing a Complaint with the NGT
Any person seeking relief and compensation for environmental damage or pollution involving subjects like air pollution, environment pollution, water pollution, etc. can approach the NGT. The decisions of the NGT are binding and you can appeal within 90 days to the Supreme Court if you are unhappy with its decision.

You can engage a lawyer if you want to approach the Court to file a case or file an appeal from a judgment of a lower Court.

Rash

September 28, 2024

Jaipur ke Tarkash bar me jo Jagatpura me roj hi der raat tak loud music bajata hai . Police complian ka koi asar ni hua. Pata ni kya baat hai police bhi kuch nahi kr Paa rhi.

Varsha Rajiv kadakia

September 26, 2022

Heavy noise pollution in Shreenathji park – Baltha vapi ( valsad district- Gujarat)
Decibel of dj speakers is extremely high in relation to the residential area

Nyaaya

September 29, 2022

Complaint against loud music can be lodged at the nearest police station by calling 100 via the nearest police station. It is pertinent to note that action has to be taken by the police wherever the decibel level exceeds 10dB of the prescribed limit, which is beyond 65dB in the daytime and 55dB at night.

Rahul Roy

October 4, 2022

A huge sound noise played unlimitedly in the temple in nirsa police station.which is situated in post-nirsa.dist -Dhanbad.Pin -828205 i face a lot of disturbance during my studies which hamper my qualifications and knowledge. Please help me out it make me mentally unsound if these practices go on without any regional puja .it hamper many students who struggle to learn while these high intensity sound played during exam time.

Satgur Singh

November 29, 2022

we are facing huge sound pollution of loud music played in our area (vill. Kakrala, p/o Wazidpur, Distt. Patiala near vriks cenal). Due to this Heavy sound We are facing many problems continuously from erly morning 01:00 am starts everyday. because of loud noise, just to my father is heart patient. I hope something better will be done with this complaint. Thank you
Sir Satgur Singh 9780953828

Alka Manral

May 31, 2024

1. Under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000, loudspeakers cannot be used between the hours of 10pm and 6am without the permission of authorities. Since you are from Patiala, in your case this authority is the district magistrate
2. Even with permission, the noise level cannot be more than 55 db in daytime and 45 db during the night
3. To file a complaint you can contact the Senior superintendent of police of Patiala at 0175-2311122
4. You can also file a case under S.268 of the Indian Penal Code for public nuisance if the loud noise is causing annoyance to you and others around you

Darshana Ayare

July 10, 2023

I have a complaint against the continuous loud vehicular noise on “90 feet street of Thakurli East (Cholegaon) 421201” affecting daily life.
The noise continues day and night making it difficult to live in this area. People have to speak much loader to have normal conversation. Students get disturbed due to honking. We have difficulties falling asleep, closing windows doesn’t help at all. Unnecessary honking and uncontrolled traffic in this area. All the residential buildings around this street are affected by this issue. Please help!

Alka Manral

August 20, 2024

You can approach the Dombivli police station on these phone numbers (02512860101, 02512860100) and email id (cp.thane.dombiwali@mahapolice.gov.in), to make a complaint of noise pollution and file a case under S. 268 IPC for public nuisance. For further contact details of police officers visit the following website https://www.thanepolice.gov.in/policestation?ps=13

As per Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, you can register complaints regarding automobile/vehicular pollution to the transport department as well.

Moreover, you can file a complaint for noise pollution in the nearest District Magistrate Court with the help of a lawyer. The court may pass an order to remove or regulate the pollutant.

Imran Taiyeb Ali

July 11, 2023

Hello,

I live at vattepally Hyderabad. We have 5 to 10 marriage function halls in the sourrounding area where in, every week there a function happens in any of the nearby function halls and they play loud sounds and beat drums from 11 pm night to 2 pm

This is very disturbing as we unable to sleep whole night.
Can we impose some rules to stop beating drums n play high decibal sounds after 10 pm night.

Any help appreciated as we are getting mental pressure

Alka Manral

August 20, 2024

Loudspeakers cannot be used at night (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) without permission from the state government. If any rules are violated, you can file a complaint with the authority specified by the State Pollution Control Board.
You can complain to the nearest police station, call 100, or file an online complaint with your state’s police complaint portal to address noise pollution. Noise pollution is considered a public nuisance under Section 268 of the IPC.
Additionally, You can also approach the Magistrate to file a civil suit for a remedy against public nuisance under S.133 of the CRPC.

Anurag

September 4, 2023

My neighbour, opposite to my house has opened a bike repairing shop in my street which is a residential area under Prayagraj Municipal Corporation. His shop is very small like any Beetle paan shop which he use to keep only instruments and he stands the bike for repairing on roads beside my house….in daytime in the side of my house and in evening, in front of my house . First of all his repairing works continuously makes noise of beating and accelerating silencers and second that he gathers many anti social elements in the name of bike repairing who use to play demeaning musics and they use to talk in abusing languages and they stare and pass bad comments to the female members of my family who use to go out . Also if we complaint to his parents they use to get verbal with us saying he is not working in your property how can you say anything. How can we get rid of this and to which authorities we can complaint about this.

Alka Manral

September 3, 2024

Since the area is designated as a residential zone, commercial activities like running a bike repair shop are likely prohibited. You can goo ahead and file a complaint with the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation aboutg this zoning violation. Visit the municipal office or use any online grievance portal they may offer. You can also complain about the noise pollution caused by the bike repairs. Municipal authorities have regulations regarding noise levels in residential areas, and continuous noise from such activities can be addressed under these laws.
The constant gathering of anti-social elements, loud music, and abusive language is public nuisance under IPC Section 268. – The harassment of women is sexual harassment under Section 354 of the IPC. This should be reported to the police who will take action against them.
If this does not work, you can file a civil suit seeking an injunction against the operation of the bike repair shop and the activities associated with it. The court can order the shop to cease operations in the residential area. Keep records of the nuisance, harassment incidents, and any communications with the neighbor or authorities.If possible, gather statements or support from other neighbors who are also affected.

Satyam Rana

October 21, 2023

Excessive noise pollution in Aundh near Parihar chowk from honking of horn during night.

Palak

December 7, 2023

I as a visitor in vadodara for a night stay in a hotel nearby NH 8 , Nr. Kapurai village. There is some program going on even after 10 pm that too very much in a loud music which is disturbing everyone’s sleep and the people who are having health problems. And the rule has been made in overall India that after 10 pm there shouldn’t be any loud music, it should be stopped at 10 pm.

It is very disappointing that the rules are not followed in Gujarat.

Shruthi

September 9, 2024

Hi, we leave in 3rd floor ,2nd floor neighbour son will play ball which he will hit the wall with strong ball @7:00 am in morning . As i am doing night shift i will sleep morning @6:00 am as soon as he play with that strong ball it will create huge noise which i cant able to sleep i have addressed this problem many time to them but there answer is he will play inside his home not in your home let him play he is small boy they cant understand our situation please address this problem.

Jyoti

September 16, 2024

Hi we are leaving in Kukatpally kphb 9th phase there is construction going on at the middle of the night lots of disturbance to kids and elders also the people need to wake up to go office
So please try to help to avoid sound at nights after 12 atleast

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Related Resources

What is Noise Pollution?

Noise is common in everyday life, but when it goes above a certain limit, it is considered to be pollution as well as a public nuisance.

Effects of Noise Pollution

Noise can disturb our work, rest, sleep, and communication. It can damage hearing and evoke other psychological, and pathological reactions.

What are the offences and punishments under air pollution laws?

The offences include releasing of harmful pollutants  into the environment, violation of Pollution Under Control Certificate, etc. 

Punishment for Noise Pollution

Causing noise pollution can lead to public nuisance and environmental pollution for which you can be punished.

What is Air Pollution?

Air pollution is the presence of dust, fumes, gas, mist, odor, smoke or vapour, in the atmosphere, in quantities that can cause injury to human, plant or animal life or harm the environment.

What are the sources and effects of air pollution?

Air pollution is associated with many sectors, which include power, transport, industry, residential, construction, and agriculture.