Pune, 29 September 2026: A significant difference has emerged between the noise level records of COEP Technological University and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) during this year's Ganeshotsav.
While COEP recorded an average noise level of 104.5 decibels at 10 major junctions on Laxmi Road during the immersion procession, MPCB reported daytime averages ranging from 69.9 to 75.4 decibels at major junctions. MPCB has attributed the discrepancy to differences in measurement methods and the nature of the observations.
Following directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), MPCB conducted noise monitoring during Ganeshotsav in coordination with Pune Police and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
In 2026, the board monitored noise levels around 200 major Ganesh mandals over 11 days. Additional monitoring during the immersion procession took the total number of locations to 220.
The monitoring covered central parts of city, Kothrud, Hadapsar, Bibwewadi, Warje, Baner and Alandi Road, including major traffic junctions and immersion routes. Noise levels near the mandals were recorded daily from 6 pm to midnight.
According to MPCB's report, noise levels in residential and commercial areas exceeded the prescribed limits by 15 to 40 decibels in both 2025 and 2026. On the first day of Ganeshotsav 2026, noise levels near various mandals ranged from 68.8 to 87.2 decibels.
A decline of 2.5% to 10.5% was recorded in some suburban areas between the second and fourth days compared with 2025. However, noise levels increased again during the fifth and seventh days, coinciding with idol immersion activities. On the final immersion day, average noise levels ranged from 72 to 89.9 decibels, while peak levels reached 95 to 104.5 decibels.
MPCB's 24-hour monitoring at major junctions recorded daytime noise levels ranging from 65.9 to 77.9 decibels. On regular days, nighttime noise levels ranged from 59.7 to 68.6 decibels. However, during the immersion procession, noise levels at junctions along the procession routes rose to between 75 and 95 decibels at night.
In 2025, daytime noise levels at Jedhe Chowk near Swargate and Sonya Maruti Chowk reached 105 and 103 decibels, respectively. In 2026, daytime levels at major junctions were recorded between 69.9 and 75.4 decibels. At Laxminagar Chowk, the recorded level declined from 83.5 to 70.5 decibels.
MPCB clarified that it used the LAeq (equivalent continuous sound level) method to measure noise levels. This method records the overall sound level in a particular area over a specified period rather than measuring an individual noise source separately.
As COEP and MPCB used different measurement approaches and covered different aspects of noise levels, their findings cannot be directly compared, according to MPCB officials. The difference in the recorded figures is attributed to these variations.
Noise monitoring will no longer be limited to Ganeshotsav. MPCB plans to conduct year-round monitoring at 132 centres across 27 cities in Maharashtra. In Pune, special monitoring will also be conducted over three days during Diwali.
The Ganeshotsav monitoring report has been shared with the police and local civic bodies. MPCB plans to publish the report on its official website within the next two days.
MPCB also received around 20 complaints during this year's Dahi Handi celebrations over noise levels exceeding the prescribed limits in residential areas.
Police submit FIRs related to such violations to MPCB. The concerned mandals are then required to present relevant documents before the court, which decides on further action.
