Background
The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 were framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and control noise levels in India. These rules aim to maintain environmental quality by setting ambient noise standards for different zones such as industrial, commercial, residential, and silence zones. In Delhi, enforcement of these rules has become critical due to rapid urbanization, increasing vehicular traffic, and widespread use of sound-emitting devices, particularly during festivals, public events, and construction activities. The framework empowers authorities to restrict noise from loudspeakers, firecrackers, horns, construction equipment, and other sources to protect public health and ensure peaceful living conditions.
Applicability
These rules apply across Delhi to all individuals, establishments, institutions, and authorities responsible for generating, regulating, or controlling noise. They cover residential areas, industrial zones, commercial establishments, and designated silence zones around sensitive institutions such as hospitals, schools, and courts. Specific provisions apply to the use of loudspeakers, bursting of firecrackers, operation of construction equipment, vehicular horns, and public address systems. Both private and public entities are bound to comply with these noise standards, and enforcement lies with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Police authorities, and other designated agencies
Compliance requirements under the Rules in accordance with the Standing Order No. Tech.& PI/02/2025 – Menace of Noise Pollution, F.No. DPCC/(10)(10…./Leg 18/Vol -I/2019/6159. Department Of Environment And Forest Notification Delhi, The 21St November, 2019 and Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000
Restrictions on following during night time in residential areas or silence zone:
(a) Use of horns
(b) Sound emitting fire crackers between 10 pm to 6 pm
(c) Sound emitting construction equipment
On Diwali/other festivals like Gurpurab, etc. fireworks shall strictly be from 8 pm till 10 pm. On Christmas and New Year eve, when fireworks start around midnight, it shall be from 11.55 pm till 12.30 am only. Community fire cracking permitted only for Diwali, Gurpurab etc. as specified by Govt in designated areas only. Even for marriages/other occasions, sale of improved crackers and green crackers only permitted. No horn to be used at night between 10 pm and 6 am in residential area except in certain cases.
Use of loudspeakers, public address systems, or other sound-producing devices is prohibited without prior written permission from the District DCP. Their use at night is only allowed indoors for internal communication (e.g., in auditoria or conference rooms) or during a public emergency.
The noise level at boundary of a public place, where loudspeaker or public address system or any other noise source is being used shall not exceed 10 dB (A) above ambient noise standard for the area or 75 dB(A) whichever is lower. The peripheral noise level of a privately owned sound system or a sound producing instrument shall not, at the boundary of the private place, exceed by more than 5 dB (A) the ambient noise standards specified for the area in which it is used. According to Reg.3 of the ‘Union Territory of Delhi Loudspeakers (Licensing & Controlling) Reg, 1980, no person shall use or permit loudspeakers in any public place or within a distance of 200m from any public place or in any place of public entertainment except under and in accordance with License granted by CP, Delhi or any other auth. officer. No permission for playing loudspeakers between 10PM to 6PM shall be issued by Districts under any case.
DPCC/(10)(10…./Leg 18/Vol -I/2019/6159. Department Of Environment And Forest Notification Delhi, The 21St November, 2019)
Sound limiters to be installed on all existing audio system/public address system and no further systems to be sold/purchased/supplied/installed/let out by any manufacturer/dealer/shopkeeper/agency without having sound limiter under it.
The noise levels in any area/zone shall not exceed the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise as specified in the Schedule for industrial area, commercial area, residential area and silence zone.
Prohibited Activities in Silence Zones:
(a) Playing music or sound amplifiers
(b) Beating a drum or blowing horn/trumpet/beats
(c) Mimetic/musical or other performances to attract crowd
(d) Bursting of sound emitting fire crackers
(e) Usage of loud speaker/public address system
An area comprising not less than 100 meters around hospitals, educational institutions and courts may be declared by the State Government as silence area/zone for the purpose of these rules.
Penalty & Punishments
Penalty imposed by Delhi PCC: Violation of use of Sound emitting construction equipment – Rs. 50000/- and seizure/sealing of equipment
Section 15 of EPA 1986 –
(1) Where any person contravenes or does not comply with any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made or orders or directions issued thereunder for which no penalty is provided, he shall be liable to penalty in respect of each such contravention which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees but which may extend to fifteen lakh rupees.
(2) Where any person continues contravention under sub-section (1), he shall be liable to additional penalty often thousand rupees for every day during which such contravention continues.
Section 15 of EPA 1986 –
(1) Where any person contravenes or does not comply with any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made or orders or directions issued thereunder for which no penalty is provided, he shall be liable to penalty in respect of each such contravention which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees but which may extend to fifteen lakh rupees.
(2) Where any person continues contravention under sub-section (1), he shall be liable to additional penalty often thousand rupees for every day during which such contravention continues.
Section 15A. Penalty for contravention by companies.—
(1) Where any company contravenes any of the provisions of this Act, the company shall be liable to penalty for each such contravention which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to fifteen lakh rupees.
(2) Where any company continues contravention under sub-section (1), the company shall be liable to additional penalty of one lakh rupees for every day during which such contravention continues.
Delhi: Action to be taken against vehicles causing noise pollution & using multi-toned horns, power/pressure/musical horns and honking in silence zones (21/177RRR & 96(1)/177DMVR)
For violation in respect of vehicular noise as per provisions of Sec 190(2), 204(4) of the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2019
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