Madhya Pradesh High Court Seeks Centre, State's Stand In PIL Against Rising Traffic Congestions, Noise Pollution

The Jabalpur bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Wednesday (October 23) sought the stand of the Centre and State in a public interest litigation petition pertaining to noise pollution and Traffic congestion, particularly in the city. 

A division bench of Justice Sanjiv Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf directed the respondents including Union of India, the State of Madhya Pradesh, and the MP Pollution Control Board to file their responses in four weeks. 

The plea states that noise pollution level is crossing the permissible limit in entire state. It further states that traffic congestion in major cities of Madhya Pradesh is resulting in large number of daily accidents.

Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Aditya Sanghi argued that the best road in the state, named as a model road connecting Shastri bridge to Jabalpur has been completely blocked by shop keepers and taxi owners. "The road is used as a parking place and not as a road," he submitted.

The plea further claims that use of DJs "at 100 dB" causes noise pollution and also results in hypertension and heart attacks, particularly to senior citizens.

It was contended that the highest level of noise permitted under Union Government Rules is 75 dB during day time and lowest is 40 dB in silence Zone and 45 dB in residential area at night. Indian Medical Associations says that anything above 80 dB is hazardous for hearing health, it was added. 

The petitioners further contended that a community hall in front of their residence in the city has been suddenly converted into a marriage hall which is used at least 10 months of the year. It was contended that noise pollution has crossed all limits and the respondent No.7 Pragya Mandapam Marriage Hall is an example of the same which is creating all types of noise pollution.

It was contended that in the entire State particularly in Jabalpur there are many such examples, where residents of the city are unable to commute or live their lives comfortably as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

The petitioners have prayed for immediate action on noise pollution and traffic congestion in Jabalpur. 

Case title: Dr. Govind Prasad Mishra And Others Vs Union Of India And Others

Case No: WP-20363-2024

Click Here To Read/Download Order