Submit Report on Noise Control During Immersion.. High Court Directs Home Department

The Telangana High Court has directed the Home Department to submit a preliminary report by September 24 on the measures taken to control noise, prevent traffic disruption and maintain law and order during Ganesh idol immersion processions. The court made it clear that the guidelines issued on August 26 last year for Ganesh festivities must be implemented every year and directed the authorities to include details of the steps taken for their enforcement in the report.

Justice Shravan Kumar was hearing a contempt petition filed by Damodar Reddy and others alleging that DJs were being operated at high volume and traffic was being disrupted in Nirmal in violation of the court’s previous directions. Government Pleader Mahesh Raje informed the court that meetings were held with pandal organisers and festival committees in Nirmal on September 13 and 16 to ensure implementation of the guidelines. He said binding proceedings had been issued against 57 DJ operators and eight cases had been registered against those who violated the rules. The judge observed that loud sound systems during immersion processions at night can cause inconvenience to the public, particularly elderly and unwell people. With the immersion scheduled for September 25, the court sought a report on compliance with its earlier directions in Hyderabad, Secunderabad and surrounding areas, and adjourned the matter to September 24.