Section 144 CrPC has been promulgated in East Khasi Hills district to regulate bursting of fire crackers in public places and public thoroughfares to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
In an order issued today, the District Magistrate prohibits sale, purchase and procurement of foreign made firecrackers, the use of joined firecrackers (series crackers or laris) which cause huge air, noise and solid waste problems, the use of firecrackers generating noise level exceeding 125 dB (AI ) or 145 dB (C) pk at 4 meters distance from the point of bursting, bursting of crackers within 100 meters of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health care centers, educational institutions, courts, religious places or any other areas which may have been declared as silence zones by the concerned authorities and bursting of firecrackers on the festival days mentioned during timings other than permitted timings as notified by NGT, i.e between 11:55 pm to 12: 30 am.
Further, the District Magistrate directed that on the festive days, use of audio systems should conform to the ambient noise level within the prescribed limit of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 as amended i.e in Industrial area, emission of sound level is 75 dB(A) Leq during day time and 70 during night time, in Commercial area, emission of sound level is 65 dB(A) Leq during day time and 55 during night time, in Residential area, emission of sound level is 55 dB(A) Leq during day time and 45 during night time and in Silence Zone, emission of sound level is 50 dB(A) Leq during day time and 40 during night time.
The District Magistrate also directed the public to adhere to the Supreme Court order with regards to the use of P.A. System as well as playing of other musical instrument is concerned.
