Despite High Court rap, new noise action plan still has landline numbers

PANAJI: Two days after the high court of Bombay at Goa lambasted govt for listing landline numbers for lodging complaints of noise pollution instead of sharing either email IDs or mobile numbers, the latest 'amended noise action plan' released by the environment department, too has landline numbers of officials. The department, in its notification, has specified various officers who can be approached to make complaints of noise pollution.

These officers have been designated as the authority for maintenance of ambient air quality standards in respect of noise rules. The notification also listed fax numbers.

The department has defined the roles and responsibilities of each of these officials, who are mostly police officers with the rank of superintendent of police, deputy superintendent of police and also police inspector.

They are responsible for enforcement of noise pollution control measures and due compliance of ambient air quality standards in respect of noise. They have been also entrusted with the responsibility of overall implementation of the noise rules in their respective jurisdictions.

Some of the officers have been authorised to grant permission under the noise rules and the state action plan for the control of noise pollution.

According to the notification, the district magistrate will act as the first appellate authority in respect of the complaints.