MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS

1 · [S.O.123(E) – Whereas, the increasing ambient noise level in public places from various sources, interalia, industrial activity, construction activity, 2 [fire crackers, sound producing instruments], generator sets, loud speakers, public address systems, music systems, vehicular horns and other mechanical devices have deleterious effects on human health and the psychological wellbeing of the people; it is considered necessary to regulate and control of noise producing and generating sources with the objective of maintaining the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise;

1 · Short-title and commencement. -

3 · [(c) "authority" means and includes any authority or officer authorized by the Central Government, or as the case may be, the State Government in accordance with the laws in force and includes a District Magistrate, Police Commissioner, or any other officer not below the rank of the Deputy Superintendent of Police designated for the maintenance of the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise under any law for the time being in force];

4 · [(d) "court" means a governmental body consisting of one or more judges who sit to adjudicate

1 · As published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Par II-Section 3(ii), vide S.O. 123 (E), dated 14.2.2000.

2 · Ins.by S.O.50 (E), dated 11.01.2010

3 · Subs. by S.O. 1046(E), dated 22.11.2000, w.e.f. 22.11.2000

4 · Ins. by S.O. 1046(E), dated 22.11.2000, (w.e.f. 22.11.2000)

1 · [(g) "person" shall include any company or association or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not;]

2 · [(h) "State Government" in relation to a Union territory means the Administrator thereof appointed under article 239 of the Constitution;]

3 · [(i) "public place" means any place to which the public have access, whether as of right or not, and includes auditorium, hotels, public waiting rooms, convention centres, public offices, shopping malls, cinema halls, educational institutions, libraries, open grounds and the like which are visited by general public; and

3 · Ambient air quality standards in respect of noise for different areas/zones. -

1 · Re-numbered and subs. S.O.1046(E), dated 22.11.2000, (w.e.f. 22.11.2000)

2 · Re-numbered by Rule 2(ii), ibid.

3 · Ins. By S.O. 50 (E), dated 11.01.2010 (w.e.f.11.01.2010)

4 · Subs. by S.O.1046(E), dated 22.11.2000, (w.e.f. 22.11.2000

5 · Ins. by S.O. 50 (E), dated 11.01.2010

6 · Ins. by S.O. 2555 (E), dated 10.08.2017 (w.e.f. 10.08.2017).

3 · [Provided that, an area shall not fall under silence area or zone category, unless notified by the State Government in accordance with sub-rule (2).]

4 · Responsibility as to enforcement of noise pollution control measures. -

1 · [(3) The respective State Pollution Control Boards or Pollution Control Committees in consultation with the Central Pollution Control Board shall collect, compile and publish technical and statistical data relating to noise pollution and measures devised for its effective prevention, control and abatement.]

5 · Restrictions on the use of loud speakers/public address system 2 [and sound producing instruments]. -

3 · [(2) A loud speaker or a public address system or any sound producing instrument or a musical instrument or a sound amplifier shall not be used at night time except in closed premises for communication within, like auditoria, conference rooms, community halls, banquet halls or during a public emergency.];

4 · [(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (2), the State Government may subject to such terms and conditions as are necessary to reduce noise pollution, permit use of loud speakers or public address systems and the like during night hours (between 10.00 p.m. to 12.00 midnight) on or during any cultural, religious or festive occasion of a limited duration not exceeding fifteen days in all during a calendar year and the concerned State Government or District Authority in respect of its jurisdiction as authorised by the concerned State Government shall generally specify in advance, the number and particulars of the days on which such exemption should be operative.

1 · Ins. by S.O.1569(E), dated 19.9.2006. (w.e.f. 19.09.2006)

2 · Ins. by S.O.50 (E), dated 11.01.2010 (w.e.f.11.01.2010).

3 · Subs. by S.O.50 (E), dated 11.01.2010

4 · Subs. by S.O. 2555 (E) dated 10.08.2017 (w.e.f. 10.08.2017).

1 · [(4) 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.

2 · [5A. Restrictions on the use of horns, sound emitting construction equipments and bursting of fire crackers. -

6 · Consequences of any violation in silence zone/area. -

3 · [(iv) whoever, bursts sound emitting fire crackers; or

7 · Complaints to be made to the authority. -

8 · Power to prohibit etc. continuance of music sound or noise. –

1 · Ins. by S.O.50 (E), dated 11.01.2010

2 · Ins. by S.O. 50 (E), dated 11.01.2010 (w.e.f. 11.01.2010)

3 · Ins.by S.O.50(E), dated 11.01.2010 (w.e.f. 11.01.2010)

4 · Ins.by S.O.50(E), dated 11.01.2010 (w.e.f.11.01.2010)

5 · Ins.by S.O.1569 (E), dated 19.9.2006 (w.e.f. 19.06.2010)

2 · [(iii) sound caused by bursting of sound emitting fire crackers, or]

1 · Subs. by S.O.50(E), dated 11.01.2010 (w.e.f. 11.01.2010)

2 · Ins.by S.O.50 (E), dated 11.01.2010. (w.e.f. 11.01.2010)

3 · Ins.by S.O.1569 (E) dated 19.9.2006. (w.e.f.19.09.2006)

1 · [***]

1 · Omitted by S.O. 2555 (E), dated 10.08.2017 (w.e.f. 10.08.2017).