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Noise can disturb our work, rest, sleep, and communication. It is an environment pollutant that can damage our hearing and cause other psychological, and possibly pathological reactions.

Noise Pollution

This explainer discusses the law on noise pollution in India and help you understand what steps you can take to complain if you feel any noise is inconveniencing you. It primarily deals with the law laid out in the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.

FAQs

What is the punishment for noise pollution?

Is it noise pollution if I burst firecrackers at night?

Is noise monitored by the Government in India?

How do I know that the noise I am making is causing noise pollution?

Is it noise pollution if I use my car horn too much?

If I play music very loudly in my car while driving, will I get in trouble for noise pollution?

If the police have stopped me from using loud speakers for my event, who can I complain to?

Are temples or mosques allowed to play loud speakers for prayers in the name of religion?

Do factories and industries cause noise pollution?

Can I file a case if my neighbour speaks loudly over the phone or plays loud music everyday?

What can you do if the police is unresponsive after you have filed a noise complaint?

How are noise limits measured? What does *dB(A) Leq mean?

Are there any noise limits for generators?

What will happen if I file a complaint for noise pollution?

When you make a complaint about noise pollution with the following authorities, they may pass an order or take action depending on the level of noise. If you approach the police The police will take immediate action to stop the noise by suspending the noise-producing instrument and prohibiting the further use of that equipment or instrument. If it is your vehicle that is causing noise, it is a traffic violation and the police may even fine you. If you approach the Central/State Pollution Control Boards These authorities have the power to issue a written order for preventing, prohibiting, controlling or regulating:

Any vocal or instrumental music
Sounds caused by playing, beating, clashing, blowing
Instruments including loudspeakers, public address systems, horn, construction equipment, appliance or apparatus or contrivance which is capable of producing or reproducing sound
sound caused by bursting of sound’ emitting firecrackers
Sounds caused from a business operation, or trade, like for example business of creating utensils, etc.

If you approach the Court Filing a Complaint with District Magistrate The Court may pass the following orders after hearing out the person who caused the noise pollution:

Temporary order to stop the noise
Order to remove the noise or regulate it
Permanent order to prevent the noise pollutant and stop it

Filing a Complaint with NGT Any person seeking relief and compensation for environmental damage or pollution involving subjects(( Schedule 1, The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.)) like air pollution, environment pollution, water pollution, etc. can approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT).(( The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.)) The NGT is a specialized judicial body where you can go to file environmental cases including noise pollution cases. The decisions of the tribunal 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.

If I have the right to give a speech under the law, is it 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