BMC plans stricter regulations for marriage processions amid traffic & noise concerns

Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to collaborate with other govt agencies to bring stringent measures for marriage processions, which often cause traffic congestion and noise pollution, after citizen reporters expressed concern over the issue.Citizen reporter Shivaji Mohinta wrote that marriage processions, with glaring lights, thunderous sounds and blocking major portion of roads, add to the traffic chaos in the city. He urged the authorities to restrict such activity.Another citizen reporter, Akash Nayak, wrote that marriage processions in Bhubaneswar are increasingly becoming a source of public nuisance, disrupting the already congested traffic.“Loud music, bursting of firecrackers, and long convoys of decorated vehicles often block major roads, causing inconvenience to commuters. Pedestrians, especially the elderly and children, face difficulty navigating through crowded streets,” he wrote on TOI Citizen Reporter portal.Nayak further said that while weddings are joyous occasions, the lack of regulation and civic responsibility has turned celebrations into public hardship.

He urged authorities to bring stricter enforcement and suggested that citizens must adopt more responsible practices.Bhargavi Jena, another citizen reporter, highlighted how the city’s banquet halls lacked adequate parking facilities, which forced vehicle owners to park on busy streets, worsening congestion.“The city administration should regulate procession timings and routes to minimise disruption on arterial roads and enforce licencing norms for the banquet halls to provide sufficient parking space,” wrote Jena, suggesting awareness campaigns should be launched on the issue.Responding to the concerns, mayor Sulochana Das said that there are rules relating to marriage processions which cover their routes, timing, use of sound systems, and how many people can participate.“We will pursue the matter with commissionerate police and ensure that the marriage parties obtain prior permissions for their routes, timing, and also the sound systems. They should not cause traffic congestion,” she said.The rules stipulate that marriage processions should ply on the approved routes and only at the allowed time. They are barred from using DJs and are required to appoint at least two security guards. However, not many follow these rules, sources said.