Ghaziabad: Ghaziabad’s neighbourhoods have been assaulted lately by remixed bhajans and popular film tracks blasting non-stop from truck-mounted speakers accompanying kanwar yatras — leading many residents to question why authorities seem to be turning a deaf ear to the noise pollution, and the changing nature of the pilgrimage.As DME, Delhi-Meerut Road, Mohan Nagar and other parts of Ghaziabad were clogged by dak kanwars dancing in the middle of the road, many say the yatra seems to be more about chest- and bass-thumping than devotion.Shubham Singh, a resident of Sahibabad, is a follower of Mahakal and has completed his kanwar yatra. “It is meant to be a peaceful pilgrimage to bring back water from the Ganga and worship Lord Shiva. But now, it has become nothing more than a roadshow,” he says.“My house falls on the kanwar route. Each group is out to prove it is the best. They install speakers on vehicles and play extremely loud music to compete with others. It is very disruptive for people trying to sleep, and for those who are unwell,” Shubham adds.Sachin Singh says a kanwar camp has been set up only a little distance away from his house in Vaishali. “I had to go over there at 11pm on Sunday to tell them to lower the volume. I saw many groups passing through, all blasting music very loudly at the same time,” he says.Payel Sharma, a UPSC aspirant from Mohan Nagar, says the music has severely affected her exam preparations. “I teach in a school, so I have to use whatever time I get at home to study. But the blaring music makes it impossible to concentrate. I can’t even sleep. My elderly grandmother has cardiac issues. She is also very troubled by the constant noise,” she says.“We respect the religious sentiments behind the yatra, but the celebrations should not come at the cost of studies, sleep and peace,” Payel adds.Varun Kumar Singh, ADCP of Traffic, told TOI that govt has capped the height of DJ systems at 10 feet. A meeting has also been held with DJ operators reiterating that the maximum permissible noise limit is 75 decibels, a Supreme Court guideline.In silent zones, which include schools and hospitals, Central Pollution Control Board sets the outer limit at 50 decibels. There have been instances, however, of kanwar groups playing music at volumes exceeding 100 decibels.Ankit Singh, UP Pollution Control Board regional officer, says they have been monitoring the situation. “We have already told all kanwar camp organisers and groups, along with DJ operators, that the music must be under 75 decibels. So far, we haven’t received any complaints.”Ghaziabad pollution control board officials say DJs are usually used by kanwar groups on their journey home from Haridwar.DJ operators say many join the yatra as devotees and don’t work for profit. One of them, Sajjan Singh, says, “Our speakers go up to 150-200 decibels. When we begin the procession, we keep the volume within prescribed limits. But as the journey goes on, it turns into a rivalry with other DJs. We enjoy that competition. This has been going on for a very long time.”
