UP Police brings down over 9,000 loudspeakers from religious places

LUCKNOW: As part of the drive to curb the unauthorised use of loudspeakers, UP police removed around 9,408 loudspeakers off religious places across the state between November 23 and December 28.
Under the drive, audio volume of 49,388 loudspeakers was reduced, and 57, 725 were marked as unfit for use in areas where they were installed, and owners were asked to replace them as per norms.
Special Director General of police, Law and Order, Prashant Kumar, emphasized that the drive was conducted with utmost care and it was ensured that no individual is harassed based on their faith.
"We have strictly ensured that loudspeakers are taken down in the presence of senior officers and that no one is harassed based on faith," he said.
Kumar outlined the clear guidelines for the use of loudspeakers at religious places, stating that only one loudspeaker is allowed per establishment, regardless of whether it is a temple, mosque, or gurdwara. All the district police chiefs and the police commissioners were informed well in advance about the same.
"If a religious place was located on a large area, then more than one loudspeaker can be permitted, but for this, a senior officer will inspect the premises and grant permission accordingly," he added.
Action was initiated after complaints of noise pollution were received. We have covered all those places where the compliance was not done in the past," Kumar said.
"U and all district police chiefs have been directed to give a compliance report to the headquarters daily," he added.
A senior officer said that as per the court's ruling, four categories or zones - industrial, commercial, residential and silence zones have been defined.
For industrial areas, the permissible limit is 75 dB during the daytime and 70 dB at night. For commercial areas, the limit is 65 dB during the daytime and 55 dB at night.
In the case of residential areas, the limits for day and night time are 55 dB and 45 dB respectively.