Mumbai Declared Free Of Unauthorized Loudspeakers On Religious Sites

Fadnavis Says Over 3,300 Devices Removed Statewide Without Disturbance; Informers To Receive Half Of Fine Collected

In a landmark development, Mumbai has officially been declared free of unauthorized loudspeakers at religious places, according to a statement made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on July 11. The CM informed the House that not a single religious site in the city currently has an illegal loudspeaker, and that the Mumbai Police successfully removed 1,608 such devices without incident or communal tension.

Statewide, a total of 3,367 illegal loudspeakers have been dismantled from religious premises. In a novel approach to public participation, the government will now reward complainants with 50% of the collected penalty amount imposed on those installing loudspeakers without permission.

Fadnavis also issued a stern warning that if any unauthorized loudspeaker is found in the future, the concerned officer of the local police station will be held accountable. This measure aims to ensure strict enforcement and continuous monitoring.

He further clarified that in forest areas, all forms of sound-emitting instruments are banned. The Forest Department and police authorities have received clear instructions in this regard. To ensure effective and fast response, special flying squads will be established under each police commissioner’s jurisdiction for noise pollution control, particularly focusing on illegal sound amplifiers.

The Chief Minister said that a standard operating procedure (SOP) for loudspeaker-related enforcement has been implemented, and that intensive public awareness campaigns are being rolled out to sensitize citizens on the harmful effects of noise pollution.

The discussion followed a Calling Attention motion raised by MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar, and saw participation from Aditya Thackeray, Bhaskar Jadhav, Devyani Pharande, Jitendra Awhad, Vishwajeet Kadam, and Sana Malik.

This initiative is seen as part of the broader movement to uphold law and order while respecting religious freedom, without compromising on environmental and civic norms.