Temple loudspeakers give residents sleepless nights

The season of festivities has seen an increase in levels of noise pollution. Residents living around temples have been irked with the use of loudspeakers during Bonalu celebrations. In many areas, the use of these speakers go way beyond the 10 pm deadline.

“In the name of religion temples play loud music and it gets worse during Bonalu,” says A. Ravi a resident of BR colony in Secunderabad whose home is besides a temple. A hospital is also located near this temple. He adds, use of loudspeakers is permissible upto 10 pm; but the temple plays devotional songs till 1 am every Tuesday irrespective of festive days or not.

A similar issue is faced by residents of Regimental Bazaar who are in a fix on how to lodge a complaint against the temple. “The temple shares a boundary with the Gopalapuram police station and plays music way beyond 12 am midnight. If the police stationed right next to it cannot take any action, how can we have a say as citizens,” asks E. Mohan Rao.

In both these cases, loudspeakers being used are of cone shaped, which have been banned by Supreme Court. Only box shaped speakers are permitted.

Noise levels have dramatically increased in the last few years and the Pollution Control Board has asked cops to prepare an action plan.

“There is a complete ban on use of DJ equipment. We give permissions for the use of sound boxes and drums. Without valid permissions, if volumes go beyond permissible levels we book a case immediately,” said B. Sumathi, DCP North Zone.