Gondia police on alert for Ganeshotsav, order strict action on noise pollution

Police and the district administration in Gondia have begun preparations to ensure this year's Ganeshotsav passes off peacefully, safely and with enthusiasm. Keeping in mind public Ganpati mandals, the "one village one Ganpati" scheme and household celebrations, the full police machinery will be kept ready to maintain law and order and control noise pollution. The police administration gave this information on the 14th.

According to the administration, 700 public Ganpati mandals, 445 "one village one Ganpati" installations and around 5,950 household Ganpati idols are expected to be set up in the district in 2026. According to information from the district's 16 police stations, the number of public Ganpati mandals is expected to rise by 4, "one village one Ganpati" installations by 5, and household Ganpati idols by 20 this year.

Under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000, noise levels during Ganeshotsav must not exceed 75 decibels in industrial areas, 65 decibels in residential areas and 55 decibels near government hospitals. Police have been directed to take strict action against violations of these limits.

In areas where DJ sound systems must be kept within the prescribed limit, immediate legal action will be taken against the mandal concerned as well as the DJ operator or owner if the limit is exceeded. Strict instructions have also been issued to ensure that the harsh sound of DJ systems does not disrupt people's daily lives, and that laser lights, mid-mixers and mixer lights are not used during Ganeshotsav processions.

Ganeshotsav is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the district, with idol installations, religious and cultural programmes and immersion processions held at various places. With this in mind, police and the administration are planning with citizen safety, traffic management and public peace as priorities.

Public Ganpati mandals have been asked to follow the rules laid down by the administration. Mandals will themselves have to ensure proper arrangements regarding the use of loudspeakers, processions, traffic, pandal arrangements and electrical safety. Citizens have also been urged to celebrate through the "one village one Ganpati" scheme, spreading a message of social harmony, brotherhood and peace.

The administration has clearly stated that citizens should not believe rumours, objectionable messages or any information likely to spread tension in society during Ganeshotsav. Any wrongdoing or suspicious activity should be reported to the police immediately.

Citizens have been urged to celebrate Ganeshotsav in an environmentally friendly way by using eco-friendly Ganesh idols, maintaining cleanliness in public places, and using only the immersion sites designated by the administration for idol immersion.

Police and the district administration have appealed to citizens for cooperation, saying Ganeshotsav is a festival of joy, devotion and social unity, and should be celebrated with enthusiasm while maintaining peace, safety and mutual harmony.