The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday cleared the path for the much-anticipated Diljit Dosanjh concert scheduled for Saturday in Chandigarh. The concert had faced legal hurdles due to concerns about noise pollution and public safety but received the green light from a Bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal.
In its ruling, the Court directed the concert organizers to strictly adhere to the Noise Pollution (Control and Regulation) Rules, setting a maximum permissible noise limit of 75 decibels at the boundary of the event’s location. The justices emphasized the importance of maintaining ambient air quality standards and warned that exceeding the noise limit could result in penal actions against the organizers.
During the proceedings, the Court stressed the need for consideration towards the local residents, especially senior citizens. “Please maintain the decibel level. There are senior citizens living around that place. How will they sleep, they may have heart attack. That is a possibility,” Justice Nagu stated, underscoring the potential health risks associated with high noise levels.
The Court also touched upon the broader issues of event management within the city, suggesting that such concerts are more suitable for stadiums equipped to handle large crowds and extensive parking. “I think these events should be held outside Chandigarh,” Chief Justice Nagu remarked, reflecting on the logistical challenges posed by high-profile events.
This decision came in the wake of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Chandigarh-based advocate Ranjeet Singh, which highlighted previous disruptions caused by similar events, including a concert by Karan Aujla. The PIL called for the Chandigarh Administration to provide a detailed report on traffic management, crowd control, and security measures to safeguard public interest and uphold the citizens’ constitutional rights.
Responding to the concerns raised, the Chandigarh Administration, represented by Senior Advocate Amit Jhanji, assured the Court of significant improvements in traffic and crowd management compared to past events. According to Jhanji, the area has been designated as a no-vehicle zone for the day of the concert, with alternative parking arrangements made in nearby sectors. He also noted that the number of police personnel deployed for the event has been significantly increased.
Senior Advocate Akshay Bhan, representing the organizers, committed to ending the event by 10 PM and maintaining the sound levels within legal limits, mindful of the presence of children among the audience. The Court has scheduled a follow-up hearing on December 18 to review compliance with its directives.
