Knight Riders cheer; green activists see red
.jpg "90 dB is the limit for IPL matches")
Activists are up in arms against a Calcutta High Court order allowing Kolkata Knight Riders, one of the teams competing in the ipl cricket matches, to use microphones during T-20 cricket matches at the Eden Garden stadium.
On March 12, the court stayed a West Bengal State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) directive that banned use of loudspeakers and bursting of crackers in public places in view of school examinations. The directive dated February 24 conformed to a 1996 high court order that bans use of loudspeakers near residential areas and educational institutions during examinations.
The court allowed the cricket team, co-owned by actor Shahrukh Khan, to use microphones and burst crackers within 90 decibel limit saying there are no residential areas near Eden Garden. SPCB officials said this was not true as the city does not have exclusive residential zones; most localities have mixed use.
The stay order not only overturns the 1996 high court ban but also ignores the recently revised central norms on noise pollution that prescribe a 55 dB limit during daytime and a 45 dB limit at night in residential areas, said a senior official of SPCB. “We will file a petition by March-end asking the high court to clarify its order,” said Biswajit Mukherjee, chief law officer of the SPCB.
Environmentalist Subhash Dutta said the court exemption for IPL matches will encourage other persons to violate noise rules.
Political parties are the first in the queue. “If rules can be relaxed for cricket matches, why are we stopped from holding political rallies,” asked Binoy Konar, a cpi(m) leader.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.