Why is city administration quiet on `Silence Zone`

Why is city administration quiet on `Silence Zone` As the city of 21st century, Navi Mumbai has always been ahead in initiating new ideas and policies. Any good measure taken by BMC in Mumbai, is also replicated by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Sadly, this has not happened in the case of 'Silence Zone'. The city has more than 200 schools and colleges, tens of big hospitals and hundreds of small nursing homes. Similarly, there are tens of religious and social institutions in each node. All these establishments necessarily require peaceful atmosphere to function effectively. That is why the city administration needs to earmark specific areas as Silence Zone. Unfortunately, Navi Mumbaikars have learnt to bear with mindless honking by motorists, the nuisance of loudspeakers and bursting of ear-splitting crackers during celebrations like weddings or birthday parties. At all costs hapless residents have to bear with such routine nuisance. But can't silence zones be enforced in areas like hospital, schools, etc. where they are an absolute must? Mohana Iyer, member of Vashi Fine Arts Society informs, 'Silence zones entail no honking, no bursting of fire crackers, no loudspeakers, no marriage or other processions and no loud music within 100-metre radius of earmarked locations. But unfortunately, NMMC has not given a single thought to replicating such a wonderful step taken by BMC in this regard". Vijay Walunj, a social worker informs, "In 2003, Bombay High Court ordered a ban on usage of loudspeakers in silence zones in BMC area. On February 26, 2009, the court passed a ruling regarding earmarked silence zones. Accordingly, in December 2009, 40 per cent of Mumbai was declared by BMC as Silence Zone". When contacted, NMMC chief PRO Jagannath Sinnerker explained, "NMMC has no right to declare silence zones. It's the duty of city police to do so". The officer in the administration department of Navi Mumbai Police Commis-sionaire and Traffic Police department asked in all innocence, "What is a Silence Zone?" An official from law department of the corporation informs, "All educational, religious institutions, hospitals etc. come under Silence Zone by default. So no special declaration is made by any authority". Environmentalist Preety Mandal of Nerul informs, "Anyone who just shouts loudly inside his/her house is hauled in Germany. In Singapore if one blows horn while the vehicle is stationary, he/she can be fined 70 Singapore dollars and may also end up landing in jail. In New York, the penalty for creating noise pollution is $ 125. But in Navi Mumbai, while creators of noise pollution go scot-free, those who are hapless listeners, bear the brunt of it. —Jaspal Singh Naol