Kolhapur: The civic body has decided to deploy its staff with sound measuring meters to record the sound levels at the 20 silence zones it listed out, for the festival season, on Sunday.The Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) has appealed to the citizens and urged organizations to avoid noise pollution at these silence zones which mostly include areas within 100 metres from educational institutes, religious places or hospitals. The noise level surrounding these areas should be within limits during the specified period of day and night time.Immediate action will be taken against mandal operators who are found flouting the rules, officials said. The high pitch dolby sound system is already banned this festival season. However, even the regular stereo system cannot be played above the decibel limits. “Noise pollution has become a serious concern in the city. We receive several complaints about the unbearable noise made by the mandals and groups during festivals every year,” head of environmental cell Samir Vyaghrambare said.“We have listed 20 silent zones as of now, as per the 2011 notification. Additional zones may be added if an increasing number of residents in different areas complain that they are facing trouble due to high pitch sound caused by the stereo system or even by regular traffic,” Vyaghrambare said.The KMC further issued guidelines to keep the noise at the minimum level at these places. The environment department of the KMC has also issued the prescribed limits of decibels at industrial, commercial as well as residential areas.“The police administration has decided not to allow the Ganesh mandals to use high decibel stereo systems during the processions. Our team will ensure that the mandals do not cause noise pollution, especially in the silent zones,” Vyaghrambare added.

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