Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Dec 2 (IANS) If you are in Varanasi, you are advised not to make too much noise.
Until a few weeks ago, no case relating to noise pollution had ever been registered in the city, but the racket has finally woken the authorities who have filed six cases in the past one week.

The sixth case was registered against Chotelal Gupta, the owner of a flour mill Tuesday for causing noise pollution in a residential area after 10 p.m.

Confirming the incident, a police officer at the Cantonment Police station, said: “Yes we have registered a case on Tuesday against Chotelal Gupta for causing noise pollution. We received complaints from people in Lamhi locality against Chotelal Gupta who was running a flour mill in this residential area.”

Superintendent of Police (Varanasi) Vijay Bhushan, told IANS: “We are quite strict about noise pollution which is causing so many problems for people and also creating a serious law and order problem.”

The awareness about noise pollution in Varansi has come after efforts by NGO Satya Foundation which has run a number of awareness programmes.

In many parts of Varanasi, including in police stations, posters have been put up about noise pollution.

“In fact, the whole city is flooded with pamphlets, posters and banners urging people to not to use loudspeaker, live bands, loud music and firecrackers after 10 p.m. in the name of religion and tradition,” Chetan Upadhyaya, secretary, Satya Foundation told said.

“I am quite happy with the public support and I am very surprised to receive calls and complaints from people even outside the state. We respond to each and every complaint and rely mainly on awareness rather than legal action. Only in cases of stubborn noise offenders, we take help from the state machinery”. Upadhyaya said.