Bengaluru: Temple loudspeaker, footpath encroachment too loud to cheer!

BENGALURU: Imagine someone putting a loudspeaker near the house and the enforcing agencies turning a blind eye to it. Loudspeakers from a nearby temple on Thyagarajanagar first main road play loudspeakers between 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm in complete violence of sound limits set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board recorded a stupendous 107dB in the area, designated aresidential. “The High Court ruled that the Panduranga Temple in the area shall not be allowed to put any kind of structures and pandal on Thyagarajanagar first main road when there is an alternative of BBMP Nethaji grounds where community activities can be held,” said Prashant Rao, a petitioner.

Rao, whose house is affected with the deafening noise alleged that in competition to the Panduranga temple, four other temples simultaneously play the loudspeakers.

“My concern is not only the noise pollution but also the encroachment of the footpaths. 107 decibel is detrimental to health.  Karnataka Police Act, 1963 may be invoked to take action of seizing the noise-making equipment and the loudspeaker which has been kept on the footpath,” he added. One of the major problems that Rao highlighted is the 100 illegal establishments on both sides of the narrow Thyagarajanagar road which violates the Revised Master Plan 2015 which states, ‘no commercial activity shall be allowed in residential main road less than 40  ft’.