Pune, 7th September 2026: Growing opposition among Punekars to blaring DJs, coupled with stricter police regulations, appears to have kept noise pollution relatively under control in central parts of the city during this year’s Dahi Handi celebrations. However, several suburban areas continued to witness excessively loud sound systems despite restrictions on the number of speakers.
Pune Police recorded the sound levels of sound systems used by around 1,100 Dahi Handi mandals across the city. The recordings will now be reviewed to identify mandals that exceeded permissible noise limits, following which legal action may be initiated.
Police had introduced specific guidelines for DJs and loudspeakers ahead of the Dahi Handi celebrations. Mandals were permitted to use a maximum of four bass speakers and four top speakers, while also being instructed to remain within prescribed noise limits.
The impact of the guidelines was more visible in central Pune. Several mandals followed the speaker limit and made efforts to keep sound levels under control. Some also voluntarily chose to celebrate Dahi Handi without DJs and relied on traditional forms of celebration.
As a result, the deafening DJ noise usually heard on several central city roads during festive events appeared to be comparatively lower this year.
The situation was different in some suburban areas. Although several mandals appeared to follow the four-bass, four-top limit, the volume of the sound systems was allegedly increased to very high levels.
Residents in some areas complained of loud noise continuing late into the night.
Police officials have stressed that simply limiting the number of speakers does not ensure compliance. Sound levels must also remain within the prescribed decibel limits.
Thus, even a sound system with four bass and four top speakers can violate noise pollution rules if operated above the permissible volume.
During the celebrations, police teams recorded the sound intensity at various mandals across Pune. These records will now be analysed to determine whether the prescribed limits were breached.
Mandals found to have violated the rules could face criminal cases and other legal action, according to the police.
The issue has gained particular attention this year amid growing public opposition to high-volume DJs. Senior citizens and other residents have repeatedly raised concerns about the impact of excessive noise during festive celebrations. A large protest against loud DJs was also held in Pune on Sunday.
The enforcement during Dahi Handi is also being viewed in the context of the upcoming Ganeshotsav, when the use of DJs and loudspeakers traditionally becomes a major source of noise complaints and disputes.
With public opposition to excessive DJ noise growing, police have begun enforcing noise pollution norms from the Dahi Handi celebrations itself. The action taken against violators based on recorded sound levels could therefore set the tone for stricter enforcement during the upcoming Ganeshotsav.
