As Hubballi-Dharwad gears up for Ganeshotsav, the district administration and police department have issued clear guidelines on the use of DJs and loudspeakers during festival celebrations. Organisers of Ganesh processions and other public programmes have been told to adhere to the prescribed timings and noise limits.
According to the guidelines of the authorities, DJ systems will be permitted until 10 PM and will be subject to the noise limits and permissions. DJs and loudspeakers will not be allowed after 10 PM. Ganeshotsav committees will be asked to make sure that their celebrations do not cause inconvenience to anyone living in the vicinity.
The noise during festivals has been known to cause many complaints from the people. Loud DJ music late at night can be especially bad for children, senior citizens, people who are ill, and students preparing for exams. In light of this, a period of time and in the event of the festival is planned to be taken into account for the sound system and the number of sound systems to be used.
DJs are to stop after 10 PM
Ganeshotsav organisers in Hubballi-Dharwad are asked to complete DJ-related activities as per the permitted time. DJs and sound systems can be used during the approved period, but they must be within the prescribed noise limits.
When the clock reaches 10 PM, DJs and loudspeakers for public celebrations must be switched off. Organisers cannot extend the programme beyond the permitted time simply because a procession or celebration is still going on.
The timing restriction does apply to public celebrations, and the organisers have to plan their events accordingly, the authorities have said. So Ganeshotsav committees should work with the police and get all necessary permissions before conducting processions and public events.
Focus on controlling excessive noise
DJ music, loudspeakers, and traditional musical instruments are part of many Ganeshotsav celebrations. But too much volume can be very tiresome for people living near procession routes and celebration sites.
Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner Bhushan G. Borase has also spoken about the problems of excessive DJ noise. The problem is not limited to Ganeshotsav, as loud DJ systems are increasingly being used during weddings, processions, and religious events.
Police have stressed that celebrations must continue, not at the cost of public peace and convenience, but must not be accompanied by disturbance or safety. The sound must be kept within the prescribed limits, and there should not be disturbance, the police said.
The use of loudspeakers and public address systems by the relevant authority is subject to permission. The use of loudspeakers and public address systems is generally restricted during the night-time from 10 PM until 6 AM in line with some legal provisions and exemptions and applicable law.
Noise limits can vary in the area, and so too can organisers’ behaviour, so compliance is crucial for celebrations at residential and other sensitive sites.
Police give instructions to Ganeshotsav committees
Ganeshotsav committees have been advised to know the rules of procession routes, timings, permissions, and sound systems before beginning their celebrations.
The police are also looking at traffic management because there are going to be large numbers of Ganesh processions in Hubballi-Dharwad, with a lot of people involved in Ganesh processions. Traffic along procession routes is being managed to avoid inconvenience for motorists and residents.
Organisers are asked to cooperate with the police and follow the approved routes and schedules. Authorities are also keeping an eye on sensitive locations to ensure that celebrations remain peaceful.
Police officials have also stressed the need to minimize unruly behaviour during the festivities. Alcohol-related processions are being discouraged, while more monitoring will be done in places that are sensitive from a law-and-order perspective.
Preparations for peaceful celebrations
In addition to that, the Hubballi-Dharwad police and district administration are working at various levels to ensure that Ganeshotsav will pass off peacefully. Public Ganeshotsav committees are being briefed about permission procedures, procession routes, security arrangements, and noise-control requirements.
The authorities are also stressing the need to coordinate the work of the organisers with law-enforcement personnel. Planning ahead of time will prevent last-minute disputes about procession timings, traffic diversion, and sound systems.
Organisers will have to follow the rules as thousands of people will be coming down to celebrate in the twin cities.
Action against violations
The authorities have warned that action is likely to be taken if organisers continue using DJs after the 10 PM deadline or exceed the prescribed noise limits.
Ganeshotsav committees and DJ operators are informed of the requirements in advance to avoid violations. Organisers are expected to make sure that their programmes have finished or moved to approved activities before the deadline.
The restrictions are not a full ban on DJs during Ganeshotsav. Their use is subject to the allowed timing, required permissions, and noise limits.
The authorities’ goal is to balance festive celebrations with residents’ right to peace during the night. With Hubballi-Dharwad in the midst of large-scale Ganeshotsav festivities, police and administrative officials are advising committees and the public to celebrate responsibly.
As for the festival, monitoring the 10 PM deadline and sound restrictions will be part of the city’s planning for it. Organisers are advised to work with the police and keep Ganeshotsav celebrations peaceful, safe, and considerate of the general public as part of the festival process, officials said.
