Patna HC pulls up officials over poor AQI in city, rising noise pollution

Patna: Expressing displeasure over poor air quality indices (AQI) and rampant sound pollution in the state capital, the Patna high court on Friday directed the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) to take stringent action against those violating air and noise pollution control norms.A single bench of justice Rajiv Roy, while hearing a contempt petition filed by Surendra Prasad, also summoned the station house officers of Rupaspur and Buddha Colony police stations for failing to produce any data regarding fines imposed on people playing amplifiers and DJs illegally beyond the permissible time and limits.The court observed that the absence of such data indicated a lack of enforcement of noise pollution regulations in the city.

Justice Roy also directed the BSPCB and state officials to ensure strict compliance with the directives of the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court of India, which prohibit the burning of garbage, dry leaves and paper in public places.The board’s member secretary Neeraj Narayan was physically present in the courtroom during the hearing. The court instructed him to convene a meeting of officials along with senior advocate Ajay, the amicus curiae in the case, and state counsel Prashant Pratap, who are representing the matter, to prepare a comprehensive action plan to tackle pollution in Patna.The court directed that the proposed plan be finalised and presented at the next hearing of the case.The matter has been scheduled for hearing on April 10.