Restrictions imposed on noise pollution, firecrackers and electric gates during Durga Puja

Cuttack: Restrictions have been imposed on noise pollution causing music, firecrackers and erection of electric gates during the upcoming Durga Puja in Cuttack of Odisha. The Orissa High Court has issued these orders while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) related to the Cuttack city’s problems.

The famous Durga Puja of Cuttack will commence from September 28 this year. And ahead of that preparations have been started to organise this massive festival properly and successfully. In this juncture HC has issued these orders for smooth conduct of the puja festival.

As per reports, the Puja will start from September 28 while the Durga Puja Bhasani Shobha Yatra will be held on October 3. However, there will be restrictions on playing of music and bursting of fire crackers that create noise pollution during the puja.

The High Court has said that Cuttack Collector and DCP will monitor that noise levels do not exceed 65 decibels during the puja. Permission will be given for the use of only four sound boxes and while the construction of gates on the roads has been denied, the construction of electric gates has been completely banned.

However, there will be specific conditions for the construction of gates for the puja. The High Court has directed that the Cuttack District Magistrate will take an immediate decision on this and inform all the Puja committees in the Dussehra preparation meeting to be held next Sunday.

This order will be effective from Ganesh Puja till the end of Bali Yatra. After this, before taking the permit for each Puja Mandap, the Cuttack DCP has been directed to monitor the fire safety, electrical safety of the Mandap and whether the restrictions issued by the High Court are being implemented properly.