Noise Pollution Rules, 2000

Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000

• Amended until 10/08/2017 vide S.O. 2555(E)
• Published under S.O.123 (E)
• It is necessary to regulate and control noise-producing and generating sources due to ambient noise levels in public places
• Sources: Industrial and construction activity, fire crackers, equipment, generators, loudspeakers, music systems, vehicular horns, and mechanical devices
• The aim is to maintain ambient air quality standards with respect to noise

Draft Publication

• A draft of the Noise Pollution (Control and Regulation) Rules, 1999, was published
• Notification by the Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests, S.O. 528 (E) dated June 28th, 1999
• Inviting objections and suggestions with a sixty-day expiry from the public
• Copies of the Gazette with the notification were available to the public on July 1, 1999

Central Government

• The Central Government considered public objections and suggestions
• Exercising powers under Environment (Protection) Act of 1986, the government made rules for regulating and controlling noise sources

Short Title and Commencement

• These rules are called the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000
• Effective from the date of Official Gazette publication

Definitions

• "Act" refers to the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986)
• "Area/zone" corresponds to the categories in the Schedule

Authority Definition

• "Authority" includes Central and State Government-authorized officers
• Includes District Magistrate, Police Commissioner, or Deputy Superintendent of Police for maintaining ambient air quality standards

Court Definition

• "Court" is a governmental body with one or more judges administering justice
• Includes any court of law presided over by a judge or magistrate acting as a tribunal in civil, taxation, and criminal cases

Educational Institution Definition

• "Educational institution" includes schools, seminaries, colleges, universities, professional academies, and training institutes
• Encompasses buildings and grounds for educational instruction, including mental, moral, and physical development aspects

Hospital Definition

• "Hospital" means an institution, that provides care for the sick includes government/private hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics

Person Definition

• "Person" includes companies, associations, or bodies of individuals, whether incorporated or not

State Government Definition

• "State Government" refers to the Administrator in a Union territory, as appointed under article 239 of the Constitution

Public Place Definition

• "Public place" means any place with public access, like auditoriums, hotels, waiting rooms, convention centers, public offices, shopping malls, cinema halls, educational institutions, libraries, and open grounds

Night Time Definition

• "Night time" refers to the period between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Noise Standards for Areas/Zones

• Ambient air quality standards for noise in different areas/zones are as specified in the Schedule
• State Governments categorize areas into industrial, commercial, residential, or silence zones to implement noise standards

State Government Measures

• Governments should abate noise from vehicles, horns, firecrackers, loudspeakers
• Governments must ensure existing noise levels do not exceed specified ambient air quality standards

Development Authorities

• Authorities should consider noise pollution when planning developmental activities
• A parameter of quality of life to avoid noise and maintain ambient air quality standards

Silence Zones

• Areas of at least 100 meters around hospitals, schools, and courts may be declared silence zones by the State Government
• An area cannot be a silence zone unless the State Government notifies it in accordance with sub-rule (2)

Noise Pollution Control Measures

• Noise levels must not exceed ambient air quality standards in any area/zone
• Authorities are responsible for enforcing noise pollution control
• Authorities are responsible for compliance with ambient air quality standards related to noise

Pollution Control Boards

• State Pollution Control Boards/Committees, with the Central Pollution Control Board, should collect, compile, and publish technical/statistical data on noise pollution
• They are responsible for outlining effective prevention, control, and abatement measures

Restrictions on Loudspeaker Use

• Loudspeakers/public address systems require written permission from the authority to be used

Night Time Restrictions

• Loudspeakers/sound-producing instruments are prohibited at night, except in closed premises like auditoriums or during public emergencies

State Government Exemptions

• The State Government can permit use of loud speakers during night hours on cultural, religious, or festive occasions
• Limited duration for no more than 15 days in a calendar year and authorized by the State Government or District Authority

Festive Occasion Definition

• Explanation of "festive occasion” includes National/State functions as notified by the Central/State Government

National Function Definition

• National/State function includes Republic Day, Independence Day, State Day, or days notified by the Central/State Government

Boundary Noise Levels

• Noise levels at the boundary of a public place with loudspeakers should not exceed 10 dB (A) above the area's ambient noise standards or 75 dB (A), whichever is lower

Private Systems

• The noise level of a privately owned sound system should not exceed the ambient noise standards by more than 5dB (A)

Horn and Fire Cracker Restrictions

• Restrictions regarding horns, sound emitting construction equipment, and fire crackers
• No horns in silence zones/residential areas during night except emergencies
• No bursting firecrackers/using Equipment in silence zone or during night

Consequences of Violations

• Violators in silence zones/areas are liable for penalty under the Act's provisions

Offences

• Offences include playing music, using sound amplifiers, beating drums, or exhibiting performances to attract crowds and bursting fire crackers and using loudspeakers

Complaints

• Individuals can complain to the authority when noise exceeds standards by 10 dB(A) or more, or if there is a violation of night restrictions

Authority Actions

• The authority will act on the complaint and take action against violators following laws

Power to Prohibit

• Authorities act on police reports or information (including complaints) to prevent public annoyance, disturbance, discomfort, or injury

Prohibiting Incidence

• Incidence prevention, prohibition, control, or regulation orders

Regulating Actions

• Regulating actions such as vocal/instrumental music and sounds from instruments (including loudspeakers)

Prohibiting Sounds

• Authorities have power to prohibit sounds caused by bursting of firecrackers
• All trade, avocation, operation, or process resulting in or attended with noise

Authority Actions

• The authority can rescind, modify, or alter orders on its own or based on appeals
• Must provide the applicant and original complainant an opportunity to appear and present their case, recording reasons for rejection

Ambient Air Quality Standards for Noise

• Ambient Air Quality Standards in respect of Noise (dB(A) Leq*)
• Industrial area: 75 (day), 70 (night)
• Commercial area: 65 (day), 55 (night)
• Residential area: 55 (day), 45 (night)
• Silence Zone: 50 (day), 40 (night)

Time Definitions

• Daytime: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Nighttime: 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Mixed Categories

• Mixed areas can be declared as one of the four mentioned categories by the authority
• dB(A) Leq is the time-weighted average of sound level in decibels relatable to human hearing
• A "decibel" is the unit of noise measurement
• "A" means "frequency weighting" in noise measurement
• Leq represents the energy mean of noise level over time

Overview of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, including amendments up to August 10, 2017. Covers the necessity for regulation and control of noise-producing sources like industrial activities, construction, firecrackers, loudspeakers and vehicular noise. Focuses on maintaining ambient air quality standards for noise.