Madhya Pradesh High Court Warns State Over Noise Pollution

The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has given the State Government a final opportunity to explain the action taken to curb noise pollution in Indore.

A division bench of Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Alok Awasthi, hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Amitabh Upadhyay, granted the State more time to file its reply. The court made it clear that this was the last indulgence and warned that failure to respond could result in the District Magistrate being summoned.

The matter has been listed for August 27. The High Court also directed the Registry to obtain a report from the Indore district court detailing convictions or fines imposed by magistrates during 2025-26 in cases under the Madhya Pradesh Kolahal Niyantran Adhiniyam, 1985, the State's noise-control law.

The order follows concerns raised by the court during the previous hearing on July 22, when officials from the Khajrana and Malharganj zones and the Regional Officer of the Pollution Control Board, Indore, appeared before it. Although officials said action was being taken against those responsible for pollution, the bench was not satisfied with their responses.

The court directed the authorities to file replies and affidavits detailing action already taken and further measures that could be adopted. The State was also directed to explain action taken by the District Magistrate under Section 18 of the Madhya Pradesh Kolahal Niyantran Adhiniyam, 1985.

The Madhya Pradesh Kolahal Niyantran Adhiniyam, 1985, is a law aimed at controlling noise pollution in the state. The law empowers the District Magistrate to take action against those responsible for noise pollution.

The High Court's warning to the State Government is a significant development in the case. The court's decision to seek data on convictions and fines imposed under the noise-control law suggests that it is serious about ensuring that the law is enforced effectively.

The August 27 hearing could provide a clearer picture of the enforcement of Indore's noise-control law during 2025-26. The court's order is a reminder that the State Government has a responsibility to protect the citizens of Indore from the harmful effects of noise pollution.

The case highlights the importance of effective enforcement of laws aimed at controlling pollution. The High Court's decision to intervene in the matter is a welcome step towards ensuring that the rights of citizens are protected.

In conclusion, the Madhya Pradesh High Court's warning to the State Government is a significant development in the case. The court's decision to seek data on convictions and fines imposed under the noise-control law suggests that it is serious about ensuring that the law is enforced effectively. The August 27 hearing could provide a clearer picture of the enforcement of Indore's noise-control law during 2025-26.