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Every State Government categorizes areas into the following, where various noise standards/limits have to be followed:
- Industrial
- Commercial
- Residential
Development authorities, local bodies and other authorities while planning developmental activity or carrying out functions relating to town/country planning have the responsibility to avoid noise menace and maintain noise standards. For example, the Supreme Court in a case, asked a business manufacturing utensils to reduce noise and bring it within permissible noise limits, as it was disturbing the neighbourhood including teachers, students and neighbours near the business premises.
Noise Standards in India
Depending on the area or zone, there are noise limits/standards which need to be maintained. If it goes above the limit, then it would be noise pollution.
| Area or Zone | 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 | 75 | 70 |
| Commercial area | 65 | 55 |
| Residential area | 55 | 45 |
| Silence Zone | 50 | 40 |
If you violate these limits given in the table above, then you will be punished under the law with jail time and a fine.
Helpless residents
September 26, 2022
Very loud noise for garba celebration in thakur village, Kandivali East. Mumbai.
Opposite Oxford School.
Beyond 11pm. Thumping music. School students unable to sleep in surrounding residential areas.
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.
Sathish Kumar N
November 25, 2023
Subject : Request to make strict order to stop Noise Pollution or Nuisance caused by using loudspeakers, bursting noisy crackers during religious festivals, functions Etc. in residential areas and using loudspeakers in heavy vehicles.
Respected Officer,
Despite of having Laws and Boards in India to control Noise Pollution or Nuisance caused by using loudspeakers, bursting crackers during religious festivals, functions Etc. in residential areas, some people are creating trouble to common people using heavy loudspeakers (exceeding permissible dB) and bursting noisy crackers during some religious festivals and occasions which disturbs peaceful stay of common people especially senior citizens having health issues which fluctuates BP and heart functioning, animals like dogs and birds which gets disturbed to noise.
Also, some heavy vehicle drivers are using loudspeakers during night travel which disturbs sleep of residents staying or having homes near road side.
Request to enforce the existing laws strictly, make strict announcements to maintain calmness, Bann the use of loudspeakers, heavy noise creating fire crackers, take necessary actions those who violates laws and creates irritation to public.
Note: If an individual resident go and raise complaint in Police Station individually then some uncultured noise creating local people may quarrel on that resident so I am requesting to enforce an existing orders to implement strictly
Sikha
October 21, 2024
There are legal remedies that can help you. In residential areas, noise limits are set at 55dB during the day and 45dB between 10pm and 6am. If these limits are exceeded by more than 10dB by vehicles and the people celebrating around the neighbourhood, you can file a complaint with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) or any State Pollution Control Board, either online or in-person at their respective offices nearest to your neighbourhood. Alternatively, you can contact the police who will then ensure the nuisance is stopped and also, warn the perpetrators of consequences if said actions take place again and an FIR under Section 270 of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023) which deals with public nuisance can be filed. Link: https://cpcb.nic.in/displaypdf.php?id=Tm9pc2UtU3RhbmRhcmRzL0F1dGhvcml0eUxpc3QucGRm )
Rashi Mor
December 14, 2023
How do we know that the sound level is above 55 db? Are citizens supposed to measure? Very loud music processions from Jain community here in the area all day. But how do I know if the level is above 55 db or not?
Simmy
February 20, 2024
Why sound that 1:38
Agra Uttar pardesh
Kamla nagar Agra Agarwal seva sadan in sound that time listening time 1:49
Aman Vishwakarma
April 14, 2024
Everyday Noise caused in residential area by using loud speaker in religious temple which makes it problematic in studying specially during exams…also it distracted us or cause headache…
Alka Manral
August 20, 2024
I believe your issue is regarding the high volume played in your neighbourhood. Since it is not clear that whether it’s a music system or a loud speaker am listing out the possible solutions : First approach can be asking the person directly .
You may call the nearest police station and Police officer .and the police officer can warn them.
Remedies available under statute
The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 deal with the use of loudspeakers in residential and other areas. Amongst other sources the Rules will cover loudspeakers as well as music systems. Loudspeakers can only be used after getting permission from the authorities. Even when permission is granted, the noise cannot exceed the ambient air quality standards as specified in the Schedule attached to the Rules. For instance, the maximum level is 55 dB in residential areas during daytime (6 am to 10pm) and 45 dB at night (10pm to 6am). The peripheral noise level of a privately owned sound system or a sound producing instrument shall not, at the boundary of the private place, exceed by more than 5 dB(A) the ambient noise standards specified for the area in which it is used. The noise level at the boundary of the public place, where loud speaker or public address system or any other noise source is being used shall not exceed 10 dB(A) above the ambient noise standards for the area or75 dB(A) whichever is lower.
When any of the provisions of the Rules are being violated, a complaint can be filed with the authority decided by the State Pollution Control Board. The state specific list of authorities is available on the website of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB under the “Authority List for Implementation of Noise Rules”) <https://cpcb.nic.in/displaypdf.php?id=Tm9pc2UtU3RhbmRhcmRzL0F1dGhvcml0eUxpc3QucGm)> .
Noise pollution is also addressed in criminal law through Section 270 of the BNS which deals with public nuisance. A complaint can be filed against such nuisance, if it causes the annoyance to the public, under Section 292 of the BNS and they might have to pay fine. You can either complain to District Magistrate, or Police Commissioner, or any other officer not below the rank of the Deputy Superintendent of Police as per the Rules
Pooja Shah
May 16, 2024
We are facing high noise pollution because of the construction work going in our next building.
Alka Manral
August 20, 2024
1) In a residential area, the noise limit is 55dB during day and 45dB between 10pm and 6am, according to Noise Pollution Rules (2000). If anyone exceeds this limit by 10dB, you can complain to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) or to any State Pollution Control Board. (List of State-wise authority – https://cpcb.nic.in/displaypdf.php?id=Tm9pc2UtU3RhbmRhcmRzL0F1dGhvcml0eUxpc3QucGRm)
2) You can file a complaint with the police by dialling ‘100’ or file an online complaint. The police can seize the DJ equipment, stop the noise or make a further complaint to the Pollution Control Board.
3) You can also file a case at the District Court with a Lawyer. Section 270 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita deals with public nuisance. A case can be filed under section 292 of the Sanhita for this.
Suraj
August 22, 2024
In our building STP plant makes noise for 24 hours. Having noise level above 85 db.