Despite being a Silence Zone, as declared by the Bombay High Court in 2010 following a petition by residents, Shivaji Park continues to be the site of noise and air pollution violations every Diwali. The Shivaji Park Advance Locality Management (ALM) body has complained to the Shivaji Park police in a letter written on Monday, seeking intervention and disciplinary action against those flouting the rules of a Silence Zone and bursting firecrackers at Shivaji Park after 10 pm.
Entrances have boards indicating Shivaji Park is a Silence Zone
The letter highlights the issue of residents of the locality being “highly disturbed by the noise and air pollution” during Diwali, with a “disregard for many senior citizens who live in the area”. The letter, a copy of which is with mid-day, said, “We, the residents of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park, are writing to you to take disciplinary action against people who violate the guidelines of bursting firecrackers in Shivaji Park post 10 pm, in accordance with the Bombay High Court orders. As you are aware, as per Bombay High Court orders, the official time for bursting firecrackers in Mumbai is only from 8 to 10 pm.”
Silence Zone
After constant follow-ups from the residents of Shivaji Park, an order by the Bombay High Court in 2010 directed that Shivaji Park and its periphery be declared a ‘Silence Zone’. The order applies to the Shivaji Park playground, as it is allowed to be used by the Bombay High Court for 45 days a year for non-sporting activities. The playground is also used for various political activities and rallies, especially during Diwali and Dussehra. The use of loudspeakers in the area is allowed for four days a year.
Resident Speak
Vaibhav Rege, a member of the Shivaji Park ALM, told mid-day, “Shivaji Park is a Silence Zone. Several entrances have boards indicating this. However, political parties flout norms every year, especially during Diwali, and firecrackers are burst in the park precinct even after 10 pm. We have been verbally told by police officials that action can be ineffective due to political reasons.” On September 13, the residents took preemptive measures to curb noise and air pollution from firecrackers at Shivaji Park and wrote to the Shivaji Park police station for intervention in adherence to rules laid down by the Bombay High Court.
Official Speak
A senior official from the Shivaji Park police station told mid-day on Wednesday, “Precautions are taken every year by the police to ensure no firecrackers are burst after 10 pm. This includes an increase in police patrol cars for the precinct.” The official cited that occasional political interference leads to difficulty in taking action against violators.
Political angle
The residents have alleged that political parties with historic ties to Shivaji Park burst firecrackers at the precinct during Diwali. Sandeep Deshpande from the leadership ranks of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) said, “This has nothing to do with MNS, which bursts crackers at 7.30 pm on four days of Diwali.”
