Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Church in Villivakkam faces music if noise levels are violated

Special Correspondent

High Court asks PCB to take appropriate measures

CHENNAI : The Madras High Court has asked the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to take "appropriate action" against a church at Rajaji Nagar in Villivakkam, if high noise levels were reported in future.

A Division Bench comprising Justice P. Sathasivam and Justice S. Manikumar gave the direction when a public interest litigation petition filed by J. Mohana came up for hearing.

The petitioner said the noise from the Evangelical Church of India during prayers and other services, aggravated by high-watt loudspeakers, disturbed peace in the vicinity.

Pointing out that the church had violated the provisions of statutory rules against noise pollution, she said that despite several complaints no action had been taken against the church authorities.

She claimed that the church was using cone-speakers though their use had been banned.

Denial

In its submission, the TNPCB denied the existence of cone-speakers, but said that songs, sermons, prayers and use of drums and other musical instruments at the church resulted in an increase in noise level.

An ambient noise level survey conducted at the church on specific days revealed that there was a clear violation of the provisions of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000, it said.

When the TNPCB report was brought to the notice of the church, counsel for the respondents gave an undertaking that in future the noise level would be controlled and it would not exceed the permitted levels.

Recording the undertaking, the Judges made it clear that in case of similar violations in future the authorities concerned should take appropriate action to reduce the noise level by enforcing the rules.

The petitioner is also free to make representations to the authorities, including the Commissioner of Police, Chennai, the Judges said.

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