Chandigarh, 14 December 2024: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has given the green light for Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh’s much-anticipated concert in Chandigarh, scheduled at the Exhibition Ground in Sector 34, but imposed strict conditions to curb noise pollution.
The court directed that noise levels must not exceed 75 dB(A) at the venue’s boundary, adhering to ambient air quality standards.
Hearing a public interest litigation, a Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal warned of stringent penal action for violations. “If the noise exceeds 75 dB(A), the authorities must take penal action against the organisers as prescribed under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000,” the court stated in its order.
The PIL, filed by advocate Ranjeet Singh, raised concerns over public safety, traffic disruptions, environmental degradation, and violations of fundamental rights during past events at the venue, including a December 7 concert and the upcoming December 14 performance.
The petitioner accentuated lapses in planning that disrupted emergency services and daily activities, arguing such negligence infringes upon citizens’ rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution.
Chandigarh’s senior standing counsel Amit Jhanji, along with counsel Abhinav Sood, Sumit Jain, and others, represented the administration. They assured the court that necessary preparations were in place for smooth management.
Referring to the Noise Pollution Rules, the Bench clarified that noise levels must not exceed 10 dB(A) above the permissible daytime limit of 65 dB(A) in commercial areas, setting the maximum threshold at 75 dB(A). “Looking at the preparations made by the authorities and the event organisers, the court has no hesitation in allowing the event, provided the noise standards are strictly observed,” the Bench said.
The petitioner also drew attention to the environmental impact of high-decibel sound systems and excessive lighting at such events, which violated noise and environmental regulations. He called for designating alternative venues and formulating comprehensive guidelines to prevent future disruptions and safeguard public welfare.
With the court’s directives in place, the concert is expected to proceed under close monitoring to ensure compliance with prescribed noise limits, mitigating concerns raised about safety and environmental impacts.
