Lucknow, Mar 20 Taking a stern view of rising noise pollution caused by modified silencers and illegal hooters, the Allahabad High Court on Friday summoned the Uttar Pradesh director general of police (DGP) and transport commissioner to appear before it via video-conferencing on April 2.
The Lucknow bench of the court passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) plea registered suo motu in 2021 on the issue of noise pollution.
A bench of Justices Rajan Roy and A K Chaudhary directed the officers to explain the steps taken over the last five years to curb the manufacture and sale of modified silencers and pressure horns, and file detailed affidavits before the next hearing.
Expressing concern over the alleged inaction of authorities, the bench noted that despite earlier directions to constitute a joint committee of the departments concerned, the state government's counsel could not confirm whether such a panel was formed.
The court observed that loud noise from modified silencers and hooters is frequently heard even at midnight, causing inconvenience to the public. It said the primary responsibility to check such violations rests with the home and transport departments, and indicated that stricter directions may follow if effective measures are not taken promptly.
