Nagpur: A festive-season dispute over Dandiya-Garba celebrations has resulted in parts of Ramdaspeth being officially declared a Silent Zone. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) issued the order after receiving directives from the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, acting under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act (Section 452A 1-A & 1-B), relevant Government Resolutions, and the High Court’s judgment in Writ Petition No. 4959/2024 dated September 30, 2024.
Municipal Commissioner Dr. Abhijeet Chaudhari’s notification marks a 100-metre radius around three locations as peace/silent zones:
• Sheshrao Wankhede Vidyaniketan (Mor Hindi) School playground
• Arneja Heart Hospital
• Bisne Hospital
The NMC received the court communication on October 15, 2025, and moved quickly to comply, emphasising protection for schools and hospitals—spaces considered highly sensitive to noise pollution.
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24 Oct 2025
What triggered the dispute
The High Court’s intervention stemmed from complaints about the Dandiya-Garba events organised during Navratri by the Ramdaspeth Plot Owners and Residents Association at the Sheshrao Wankhede Hindi Mor School grounds.
Even though the organisers had secured permissions from the NMC and the local police, multiple residents alleged that the music crossed permitted sound limits and continued beyond authorised hours.
Court demands strict noise enforcement
Taking note of these complaints, the High Court issued clear directions:
• Police must closely monitor the event.
• Any breach of conditions will attract strict legal action.
• An independent monitoring agency must continuously record sound levels.
• Police must conduct periodic sound inspections.
The court also reminded authorities that permissible noise limits in residential localities are 45 dB at night (10 pm–6 am) and 55 dB during the day (6 am–10 pm).
The Silent Zone declaration in Ramdaspeth now formalises these restrictions, aiming to shield residents-and the nearby school and hospitals—from recurring noise violations. The move also signals a tougher stance on sound pollution during public festivals and events across the city.
