The Gujarat High Court on Monday questioned key officials, including Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Banchha Nidhi Pani, State Home Secretary Nipuna Torawane, and Gujarat Pollution Control Board chairman R B Barad, over failure to implement its orders to control noise pollution.
During an online hearing, the court also raised concerns about ongoing traffic problems in Ahmedabad.
A bench of Justice Bhargav Karia and Justice L S Pirzada was hearing contempt petitions filed by advocate Amit Panchal. The petition accused authorities of not following court directions issued in 2017–18 regarding road maintenance, traffic and parking issues, removal of encroachments, and stray cattle on roads.
The plea also highlighted that officials have failed to enforce guidelines on noise pollution despite directions from the Supreme Court of India and later the High Court.
The court criticised the authorities, saying it was “very painful” that noise pollution continues to be a problem in Gujarat even 20 years after the Supreme Court issued guidelines.
The High Court further remarked that authorities appear to have taken the issue lightly, and noise pollution remains a serious concern in the state.