August 27, 2001

'30'

LOK SABHA

LAW ON NOISE POLLUTION

    The Government have notified the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 vide S.O. 123(E) dated 14.02.2000 and it has subsequently been amended vide S.O. No. 1046(E) dated 22.11.2000. Salient features of the Rules are:-

    1. Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 relates to regulation and control of noise producing and generating sources.
    2. Ambient air quality in respect of noise has been laid down.
    3. State Governments shall take measures for abatement of noise including noise emanating from vehicular movements and ensuring that existing noise levels do not exceed the ambient air quality standards.
    4. Area not less than 100 metres around hospitals, educational institutions and courts to be declared as silence area for the purpose of these Rules.
    5. Restriction has been imposed on the use of loudspeakers/public address system.
    6. Penal provisions have been provided in consequences of any violation of these rules Rules.

    The other legislations issued by the Government to check noise pollution include the following:

    1. Ambient Air Quality standards in respect of noise for industrial, commercial, residential areas and silence zones have been notified vide GSR 1063(E) dated 26.12.1989.
    2. Noise Limits for Automobiles at the manufacturing stage to be achieved by 1992 and domestic appliances and construction equipment at the manufacturing stage published under GSR 742(E) dated 30.8.1990. Noise standards for motor vehicles have been made more stringent vide notification GSR 742(E) dated 25.9.2000 (amendment).
    3. Standards/Guidelines for Control of Noise Pollution from Stationary Diesel Generator (DG) Sets published under under GSR No. 7 dated 2.1.1999.
    4. Noise Standards for fire-crackers published under GSR No. 682 (E) dated 5.10.1999.
    5. Noise limits for generator sets run with petrol or kerosene published under GSR 742(E) dated 25.9.2000.

    This information was given by the Union Minister of Environment and Forests, Shri T.R. Baalu in reply to a question from the Hon'ble Member, Shri Rampal Singh in the Lok Sabha today.