Guidelines Issued by the Supreme Court on Noise Pollution

The judgment issues comprehensive guidelines under Articles 141 and 142 of the Constitution, applicable until modified or superseded by legislation. These cover firecrackers, loudspeakers/public address systems, vehicular horns, awareness measures, and general enforcement provisions. (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!)

I. Firecrackers

• Firecrackers to be evaluated based on chemical composition (proportion, maximum permissible weight of chemicals) rather than noise levels for practicality in enforcement; Department of Explosives (DOE) to specify formulae for each type/category/class. (!) (!)
• Firecrackers divided into: (i) sound-emitting; (ii) colour/light-emitting. (!)
• Complete ban on bursting sound-emitting firecrackers between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.; no time restrictions on colour/light-emitting firecrackers. (!) (!)
• Manufacturers must label boxes with chemical contents and DOE compliance; non-compliance leads to manufacturer liability. (!)
• Export firecrackers with higher noise levels permitted only with export order, conforming to destination country's standards, distinct colour packing, and "not for sale in India" declaration; liability on manufacturer/dealer if sold domestically. (!) (!) (!)

II. Loudspeakers/Public Address Systems/Instruments

• Noise at boundary of public place ≤10 dB(A) above ambient standards or 75 dB(A), whichever lower. (!)
• Ban on drums, tom-toms, trumpets, instruments, or sound amplifiers at night (10 p.m.–6 a.m.) except public emergencies. (!) (!) (!)
• Private sound systems: peripheral noise ≤5 dB(A) above ambient standards at private place boundary. (!)

III. Vehicular Noise (Horns)

• No horns in residential areas at night (10 p.m.–6 a.m.) except exceptional circumstances. (!) (!) (!)

IV. Awareness and Education

• Add chapters on noise pollution/civic sense in school textbooks; organize school lectures/talks on its hazards and children's role. (!) (!) (!) (!)
• Train police/civil administration on curbing methods and laws. (!)
• State to actively promote via Resident Welfare Associations, service clubs, societies. (!)
• Pre-festival/event awareness campaigns on firecracker use. (!) (!)

V. General Enforcement

• States to enable seizure/confiscation of loudspeakers, amplifiers, equipment exceeding limits. (!) (!) (!)
• Implement Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000: categorize areas (industrial/commercial/residential/silence zones), notify standards/authorities. (!)
• Silence zones: ≥100m around hospitals, educational institutions, courts. (!) (!)

These guidelines emphasize right to peaceful life under Article 21, prioritizing health over noise creation; violations actionable as nuisance under prevailing laws. (!) (!) (!) (!)