Whole of Greater Imphal is now Silent Zone
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 30, 2013: A number of important places in Greater Imphal area have been declared as Silent Zone area following a notification issued by VK Thakur, Principal Secretary of Department of Forest and Environment, Government of Manipur, yesterday.

According to the notification, all public and semi-public places in Greater Imphal area which include Government offices, Educational Institutions, camps of Assam Rifles and Manipur Rifles, Parks and Recreational open spaces are silent zone areas.

Apart from this, all places covering 100 m around Zoological/Botanical gardens notified by the Forest Department, Manipur; 100 m around schools, colleges and universities recognized by the State or Central Government; 100 m around hospitals and clinics with a minimum of 12 beds and 100 m around Raj Bhawan, Kangla, Chief Minister's Secretariat, High Court, Assembly, Civil Secretariat Complexes, City Convention Centre, etc have been covered under the silent zone.

The notification further prohibits honking or use of horns along the roads stretching from Keishampat Junction to Raj Bhawan Gate; from Raj Bhawan Gate to Palace Compound Gate via Sanjenthong Bridge; from Kalimai temple, Moirangkhom to imphal Head Post Office; from Raj Bhawan gate to PWD Gate, Imphal and from Thong Nambonbi (Hump Bridge) to Western kangla Gate.

The notification stated that the noise level in the silent zone area should not exceed beyond 75 decibel during the day (6 am-10 pm) and 70 decibel during night time (10 pm- 6am).In industrial areas, it should not exceed beyond 75 decibel during the day and 70 decibel during night time.

In commercial areas, the noise level should be restricted to 65 decibel during the day and 55 decibel during night.

Moreover, in residential areas, the noise level should not exceed 55 decibel during the day and 45 decibel during night.

The notification made it clear that no loudspeaker or public address system can be used in the silent zone area without the permission of the authority concerned.

No loudspeaker or public address system or any sound producing instrument r musical instrument or a sound amplifier will be allowed to be used at night time except in close premises for communication within, like auditoria, conference rooms, community halls, banquet halls or during public emergency.

It further prohibits use of sound emitting construction equipments during night time in residential areas and silent zones.

Whoever, in any place covered under the silent zone/area, commits any of the restricted offences, like beating of drums and blowing of horns, playing of music and uses of sound amplifiers, bursting of sound emitting fire crackers, etc, shall be liable for penalty under the provision of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, it added.

The authority for implementation of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2011 in the State shall be the concerned District Magistrate and the concerned Superintendent of Police and the authority for monitoring the ambient noise in the State shall be the Member Secretary of the Manipur pollution Control Board, the notification said.

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