Kerala: No checks on loudspeaker misuse

Thiruvananthapuram: A real estate query posted in a Facebook group by a city-based scientist a few weeks back sought a house for short-term rental due to deafening noise emanating from a temple near his house at Shasthamangalam during the festival time. And the scientist cannot be faulted: apart from using illegal types of loudspeakers, the temple authorities often flout the 6 am to 10 pm deadline for speakers. They even prepare the brochures of upcoming temple festivals flaunting events that extend until late night.

“My wife and I live close to a temple at Kamaleswaram and my father was a trustee there,” said a Technopark employee  “So, we can’t deny space for loudspeakers on our wall. We can’t quarrel with anyone because we were once part of this sin. I have planned a vacation to Kodaikanal during February-end when the festival takes place.” The officials attached to police control room said that they were yet to receive complaints from citizens regarding speakers. Several shrines at wards such as Koncharavila, Fort, Kamaleswaram, Thirumala, Thiruvallam and Chalai will host the annual festivals in February and March.

The IMA which was shortly spearheading an anti-sound pollution campaign said that the onus to control the offenders was on the police.  The district administration had in 2015 introduced a licensing scheme for around 3,200 microphone operators in the city. The officials made this an opportunity to inspect the equipment and weed out illegal speaker boxes.  Rules bar dual speakers in a box and two boxes cannot be stacked together. Also, there should be ample distance between speakers. But the rules are observed more in their breach, say the local residents.