Dehradun residents join forces against noise pollution at UANP public session

Public session organised by UANP in association with Doon Library and Research Centre

Nearly 100 residents from different parts of Dehradun came together on the evening of 24 September at the Doon Library and Research Centre (DLRC) auditorium for “Noise Pollution: Know the Rules. Know Your Rights. Be Part of the Solution.”, a public session organised by Uttarakhand Against Noise Pollution (UANP) in collaboration with DLRC. Many of those present shared their own experiences of living with late-night music, DJs and fireworks near their homes, and pledged to join forces to tackle the problem together.

The session was moderated by Keerti Ahlawat, Co-founder, UANP, and Managing Editor, The Unknown India. The panel included social activist Anoop Nautiyal, UANP co-founder Nitin Ahlawat, advocate Pranav Puri, and affected residents Maj. Gen. Atul Rawat, AVSM (Retd.), Vinesh Rawat and Karuna Thapliyal.

Advocate Pranav Puri explained that courts treat excessive noise as a violation of the right to a peaceful life under Article 21. He referred to the Uttarakhand High Court’s directions in Mahendra Singh v. State of Uttarakhand, and said that violating these directions could amount to contempt of court. Under the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000, residential limits are 55 dB by day and 45 dB at night, and amplified music is not allowed after 10 PM. He said that neither weddings nor permissions are exempt from these limits.

Setting the tone, the organisers made it clear that the campaign is not against weddings, celebrations, business or development. It only asks that existing rules be followed. Anoop Nautiyal spoke about UANP’s work so far. The collective has sent around 30 representations to the Chief Minister’s Office, the Chief Secretary, the Municipal Commissioner, the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board, and the DMs and SSPs of all districts. It has also served notices on Taj Mussoorie Foothills, Fairfield by Marriott and Nukkad Restaurant & Bar, in and around Malsi.

Nitin Ahlawat spoke on how constant noise affects sleep, stress levels, blood pressure and hearing. He pointed out that children, the elderly, pregnant women, patients and newborns suffer the most. He added that in the hills, sound carries far beyond the venue and disturbs birds and wildlife too.

The three residents spoke about what they face night after night. Maj. Gen. Rawat said he had spent lakhs of rupees on soundproof windows. Vinesh Rawat said his young grandchildren are frightened by loud music and fireworks, and that most homes in Malsi face the same problem. Karuna Thapliyal shared that the noise from a homestay next to her house at Kuthal Gate became so unbearable that she eventually had to sell her home and move.

The panel also explained what residents can expect when they call 112, how to escalate a complaint in writing, and how to build evidence through timestamped videos, decibel readings and a complaint log. Residents were advised to file complaints together with their neighbours rather than alone.

During the open Q&A, members of the audience spoke about the problems they face. Residents living in and around Tapkeshwar Mandir described regular disturbance from loud music and loudspeakers. One participant recounted how an elderly man had to spend the night at a neighbour’s house to get some sleep after a loudspeaker was mounted on his boundary wall during a celebration, and the hosts refused to remove it. Such accounts, the panel said, show how urgently people need to be made aware that their celebration should not cost someone else their rest.

With this in mind, UANP plans to take its awareness campaign to schools and colleges so that young people understand the harm noise causes and grow up respecting others’ right to peace. Residents were invited to join UANP as neighbourhood volunteers.

Uttarakhand Against Noise Pollution is a citizens’ collective working for the enforcement of noise pollution rules through awareness, representation to authorities and community action.

Doon Library and Research Centre, Dehradun, is a public platform for knowledge, research and dialogue. Its work goes beyond books and reading: it regularly hosts discussions on the environment, society, culture, civic rights and current public issues, so that citizens have access to factual information and different viewpoints can meet in meaningful conversation.