Court mandates publication of silence zones, deployment of sound measuring devices with police, appointment of ward volunteers, and reduction of noise from municipal garbage vans
In a significant judgment addressing the persistent problem of noise pollution in Indore, the Madhya Pradesh High Court (Division Bench) has issued a slew of directions aimed at controlling noise levels and ensuring public peace. The Court's judgment came in the writ petition filed by Amitabh Upadhyay and another against the State of Madhya Pradesh and others. The Bench comprising Mr. Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Mr. Justice Jai Kumar Pillai expressed serious concern over the lack of effective implementation of earlier directives and the rampant noise pollution witnessed especially during recent festive seasons such as Navratri and Dussehra.
The Court first observed that the State had failed to properly publish the list of silence zones in newspapers of wide circulation as previously directed. Merely showing newspaper excerpts was deemed inadequate. The State was therefore ordered to republish the list comprehensively and to invite suggestions from the public for the declaration of additional prominent places as silence zones.
Next, the Court took note of a sound measuring device brought before it by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Khajaran, but lamented that such devices had not been deployed in public to record noise pollution or initiate action against offenders. Recognizing the utility of these devices if used actively, the Court directed that these sound measuring instruments be supplied to police personnel on duty in every police station in Indore. Furthermore, it ordered the publication of contact numbers of police stations in newspapers and on the Indore Police website to facilitate easy lodging of noise pollution complaints by citizens.
Highlighting the helplessness of police during the recent festive season, the Court directed the respondents to place on record all complaints received by police stations regarding noise pollution, including any suo motu complaints registered by the police. This was intended to create accountability and assess the scale of the problem.
To overcome public hesitation in directly approaching police over noise issues, the Court mandated that each police station SHO appoint two volunteers from each ward. These volunteers would be responsible for promptly informing the police about noise pollution offenders and recording video evidence on mobile phones. This mechanism would also enable other residents to report indirectly through the volunteers if they were reluctant to contact the police directly. The police were directed to take swift action on all such complaints in accordance with the law.
The judgment also drew attention to the municipal garbage collection vehicles fitted with loudspeakers playing cleanliness songs at volumes exceeding legal limits. While acknowledging the importance of alerting citizens about these vehicles, the Court directed the Municipal Corporation to reduce the sound to permissible decibel limits or at least by 25% from the current volume to prevent unnecessary noise pollution.
The Court emphasized that while the challenges are significant, it hopes that the collective efforts of the State, police, municipal authorities, and citizens will usher in much-needed peace and reduce noise pollution in Indore.
The respondents were directed to file a compliance report within three weeks and the matter was listed for further hearing in the week commencing November 23, 2026.
Bottom Line:
Noise pollution - High Court issued directions for publication of silence zones, supply of sound measuring devices to police stations, publication of complaint contact numbers, collection of complaint data, appointment of ward volunteers, and reduction of noise from municipal garbage collection vehicles.
Statutory provision(s):
Directions are based on the Court's inherent powers and public interest jurisprudence concerning environmental protection and noise pollution control.
Amitabh Upadhyay v. State of Madhya Pradesh, (MP)(DB)(Indore) : Law Finder Doc Id # 3004117
