(1) The ambient air quality standards in respect of noise for different areas/zones shall be such as specified in the Schedule annexed to these rules.
(2) The State Government 4[shall categorize] the areas into industrial, commercial, residential or silence areas/zones for the purpose of implementation of noise standards for different areas.
(3) The State Government shall take measures for abatement of noise including noise emanating from vehicular movements, 5[blowing of horns, bursting of sound emitting fire crackers, use of loud speakers or public address system and sound producing instruments] and ensure that the existing noise levels do not exceed the ambient air quality standards specified under these rules.
(4) All development authorities, local bodies and other concerned authorities while planning developmental activity or carrying out functions relating to town and country planning shall take into consideration all aspects of noise pollution as a parameter of quality of life to avoid noise menace and to achieve the objective of maintaining the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise.
(5) An area comprising not less than 100 metres around hospitals, educational institutions and courts may be declared 6[by the State Government] as silence area/zone for the purpose of these rules.
1 Re-numbered and subs. S.O.1046(E), dated 22.11.2000, (w.e.f. 22.11.2000) 2 Re-numbered by Rule 2(ii), ibid.
3 Ins. By S.O. 50 (E), dated 11.01.2010 (w.e.f.11.01.2010) 4 Subs. by S.O.1046(E), dated 22.11.2000, (w.e.f. 22.11.2000 5 Ins. by S.O. 50 (E), dated 11.01.2010 6 Ins. by S.O. 2555 (E), dated 10.08.2017 (w.e.f. 10.08.2017).
The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 912 3[Provided that, an area shall not fall under silence area or zone category, unless notified by the State Government in accordance with sub-rule (2).]