Manache Ganpati pull the plug on loudspeakers

How many times have you cursed the blaring loudspeakers during festive celebrations? Well, this Ganeshotsav, despite the loudspeaker deadline having been extended to midnight, there might be some respite from the noise. The five Manache Ganpati and a few of the old mandals have decided to give loudspeakers a miss, in order to reduce the noise pollution.
Banking on traditional instruments
Leading the way is the first Manacha Ganpati, Kasba Ganpati.Informing us about their tradition, Shrikant Shete, president of the mandal, said, “An utsav is for people to be happy, but the blaring loudspeakers make it impossible for the general public to have a good time. In the 124-year-old tradition at Kasba Ganpati, we’ve never used loudspeakers or played film songs. We have small speakers and believe in the serene instrumental music. Kirtans and bhajans are organised but we have never got complaints. It is important that maximum number of mandals should do away with loud music.”
Call for collective effort
The Manacha dusra, Tambadi Jogeshwari Ganpati, on the other hand, is planning to hold awareness programmes about noise pollution. “We have only one loudspeaker for the aarti and announcements at our pandal and the sound hardly reaches four households in the neighbourhood,” informed Vinayak Samak, from the mandal. “I think every reputed mandal does its bit to prevent pollution on an individual level. But, a collective effort should happen this time to drastically reduce the pollution level,” he added.
The smart way out
Though many mandals erect moving dekhavas and have constant announcements going on, the Hatti Ganpati mandal has a solution to reduce the noise levels. Their moving dekhava off Tilak Road is quite famous and this time the theme revolves around national heroes. But, instead of opting for loudspeakers, the mandal has taken the smart way. “Most mandals where people crowd for seeing the dekhavas, have loudspeakers but we have placed small speakers at every 20ft to reduce the effect considerably. This way, everyone can hear what’s going on, without the decibel levels going high,” said Shyam Mankar, chairman of Hatti Ganpati mandal.
Stop blaming authorities; be responsible
Going a step ahead, the Manacha chautha, Tulshibaug Ganpati will switch on speakers only during the daily aarti timings, according to Vivek Khatavkar, president of the mandal. “Our Ganpati is located in a busy area and it’s been our constant endeavour to not create any nuisance for residents. Apart from preventing noise pollution, we are also promoting shadu clay idols and immersion in water tanks instead of the river,” said Vivek. The mandal is also requesting Puneites to not venture out in four-wheelers during Ganeshotsav. “Traffic jams and incessant honking too contribute to noise pollution. Blaming the authorities every time is not correct; we should also be equally responsible,” added Vivek.
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Normally the deadline is 10 pm during the Ganesh festival. However, the government of Maharashtra has allotted 15 days in a year when there can be a relaxation in the deadline. Five days are allotted during the Ganpati festival. In these five days, many mandals take the liberty to play loudspeakers till midnight, but of course in the permissible levels.
— Sunil Ramanand, Joint Commissioner of Police
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On an average, the noise levels during the festive season go above 110 decibels, which is much more than the permissible levels at night. This goes higher during the immersion procession. Though mandals are asked to keep it low, the noise levels increase mainly after midnight, with more footfall, loudspeakers and music.
— Mahesh Shindikar, assistant professor at College of Engineering, Pune, who has been collecting noise pollution data during Ganeshotsav
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The limits have already been given by the Central Pollution Control Board and we are not issuing any revised permissible limits during the festive season. Mandals have to adhere to these limits.”
- Sudhir Hiremath, Deputy Commissioner of police
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In 2015
The average decibel level at 10 crossroads on the immersion procession route from Belbaug Chowk to Lokmanya Tilak Chowk was above 100 decibels. This was well above the permissible decibel levels.
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