Pune: If palkhi processions take place in peaceful, auspicious atmosphere, why Ganeshotsav is so noisy, senior citizens ask Chief Minister
Pune: Many senior citizens in the city have written letters to Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. They stated: ‘Lakhs of warkaris pass through the city during the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi processions. They do not cause sound pollution, traffic chaos or disorder. The processions take place in a peaceful and auspicious atmosphere. Then why can’t it happen during Ganeshotsav?’
The Palkhi processions cover a distance of 25 km within 10-12 hours to arrive in Pune. The city has the oldest Ganeshotsav tradition. Lokmanya Tilak introduced the public festival to mobilise the youth to awaken the nation in 1884. It has a reputation across the world. Many foreigners also participate in the festival. They also study it. Of late, Ganeshotsav is losing its original significance. It has become too noisy.
All restrictions were removed a couple of years ago to please a handful of Ganesh mandals. This has been causing noise pollution and traffic problems for two months. The entire city is held to ransom for 10 days. Now, laser lights have been added to it. This needs to be controlled, stated the letters.
Impose a ban on DJ music and laser lights
They added: ‘Every public festival, birth-death anniversaries should be celebrated with much fanfare. But it is possible without using DJ music and laser lights. Political will is needed to stop this. Doctors and noted personalities should educate Ganesh mandal workers and office-bearers about the use of DJ music and laser lights’.
Have a heart for cops
Why should a mere 3-4 km immersion procession take 30-32 hours to complete? The police work under tremendous pressure and stress. One should spare a thought for them. Unrestricted Ganeshotsav has issued a licence to mandal workers to do what pleases them without considering other citizens, said the letters.
Difficult to stay at home
Vilas Lele, senior citizen, said, “Residents staying along the immersion procession route find it difficult to stay at home for two days. Please, consider that the State Assembly elections will approach immediately after the Ganesh Festival. We have written numerous such letters to the Commissioner of Police and the Chief Minister. A right decision will be made on the issue.”
Permitted noise levels
According to the guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board, the permitted noise level in residential areas is 55 dB. It is 65 dB in industrial areas. Human ears can withstand up to 80 dB but the average noise level during Ganesh Festival is above 100 dB.
High noise levels can adversely affect our body. It can cause slow deafness; heart starts pumping faster, causes cardiovascular illness, dizziness.
Noise pollution indicators in the city
Noise levels were measured at major chowks during the Ganesh festival in the city last year. They were as follows: Belbaug Chowk – 119 dB, Ganpati Chowk – 116.4 dB, Kunte Chowk – 118.9 dB, Umbrya Chowk – 119.8 dB, Gokhale Chowk – 117.3 dB, Tilak Chowk – 117 dB, Khaduji Baba Chowk – 129.8 dB.
Chandrashekhar Kulkarni, senior citizen, said, “Deafening music is played during Ganeshotsav. Children and the elderly suffer a lot. DJ walls adversely affect people’s hearts. A festival is an expression of joy. It should not be risky and grotesque.”
Sunil Pokare, senior citizen from Sangvi, said, “Senior citizens, patients, women and children cannot tolerate loud music and laser lights. Dhol-Tasha troupes practicing ahead of Ganeshotsav also cause noise pollution. They should be permitted to practice a few weeks before the festival.”
