Over 3,300 Loudspeakers Removed from Religious Sites Across Maharashtra, Says CM Fadnavis

Mumbai: In a major step towards curbing noise pollution, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the state assembly that a total of 3,367 loudspeakers have been removed from religious places across the state, including 1,608 from Mumbai alone.
Fadnavis stated that the drive was carried out peacefully and did not lead to any religious or communal tensions. “Mumbai is now free of loudspeakers at all religious places,” he said, according to a PTI report.
The Chief Minister warned that police station officers will be held accountable if loudspeakers are reinstalled without official permission. He added that flying squads will be formed under each police commissioner to ensure strict monitoring and compliance.
The issue was raised in the assembly during a calling attention motion by several MLAs. BJP leader and former minister Sudhir Mungantiwar spoke about the adverse effects of noise pollution, while BJP MLA Devyani Pharande called for a year-round ban on high-decibel sound systems. NCP (Sharad Pawar) MLA Jitendra Awhad also raised concerns over loud music affecting wildlife in the Yeoor forest area.
Responding to this, Fadnavis said that musical instruments and loudspeakers will not be permitted in forest zones and that both the forest department and police have been instructed to strictly enforce these rules.
In a post on X, CM Fadnavis shared a video of the assembly discussion and reiterated that action will be taken to regulate noise in sensitive areas like Yeoor forest.
He also noted that discussions will be held with Christian religious leaders regarding permission for the traditional Christmas Midnight Mass on December 24, with a final decision to be made after consultations.