Mira Road society bars politicians from canvassing over pollution concerns

Politicians have been barred from canvassing for votes on the premises of Mira Roadrsquos Indraprastha Society as its members hold leaders responsible for unchecked sound and air pollution in the area Residents alleged that celebrations at the Bapa Sitaram temple located opposite the entrance of the society have been creating a nuisance with music being blasted during wedding processions and firecrackers burst late at night But despite complaining to the local police and public representatives no action has been taken they claimedAccording to residents the road leading to the society was declared a silence zone years agoSociety members alleged that while residents face strict restrictions during festivals such as Diwali and Navratri mdash when loud music is disallowed beyond 10 pm mdash wedding celebrations with amplified music live bands and firecrackers are allowed to continue unabated till 12 am or even 1 am at the templeIndraprastha Society located near the Poonam Sagar Complex in Mira Road East houses around 800 residents They alleged that over the past three to four years the temple had been hosting wedding events that had become a major disturbance contributing to traffic congestion blockage of the societyrsquos entry and exit points and increased air and noise pollution due to firecrackers and loud musicMembers speakResident Mahesh Chauhan told midday ldquoWe have put up a banner near our main gate notifying political parties to refrain from campaigning here as they are not helping us Every night our sleep is disturbed Even students are unable to study during exam timerdquoResidents of Indraprastha Society are unanimous in their demand that the volume levels be reduced during events organised at the Bapa Sitaram temple PICSSATEJ SHINDEMeenakshi Walnekar chairperson of the society said ldquoWe have complained multiple times to all political parties about this nuisance but no solution has been provided This is total harassment Every day the issue is the same Whenever the band baja starts late at night we call the police The cops stop the music but once they leave the music resumes within five minutes We want peace We are not against the temple but we are against events that create a nuisancerdquoSociety committee member Falguni Divecha said ldquoThe police stop us if music is played beyond 10 pm during Navratri and other festivals but at these wedding halls music is played till 1230 am or 1 am The rules should be the same for all citizens We are not against the temple but against the wedding hall operating inside it Sound levels are extremely high at night which is very disturbingrdquoFalguni Divecha committee member who believes the rules must be the same for all citizensResident Jaylaxmi Gowda said ldquoWedding processions block our road for one to two hours daily We are unable to enter our society through the main gate If we are travelling by auto we have to get out on the main road and walk the rest of the way We complained to the Bapa Sitaram temple but they did not address our concernsrdquo Her son Shrikant added ldquoMy mother is very old and these wedding events disturb her sleep every nightrdquoAnother resident Priti Ravani said ldquoThe road to the society was declared a silent zone Someone has removed silent zone boards installed years ago The volume should be brought under control Temples are meant for worship but they are being used for wedding events Vehicles are also being parked outside our gates This nuisance should be stoppedrdquoJaylaxmi Gowda resident Indraprastha SocietySharon Pires yet another resident said ldquoMy son is studying for the SSC exam and it has become extremely difficult for him to prepare due to the high noise levels We are not against weddings or programmes but the volume must be maintained Firecrackers are burst late at night creating further disturbancerdquoTemple trustee speaksAnil Virani trustee of Bapa Sitaram temple and BJP candidate from Mira Road said ldquoWe conduct marriage events free of cost So far we have arranged more than 400 weddings at the Bapa Sitaram temple This is social work and not done for income but to help poor people We understand that the society is facing some issues and we will speak with the residents and try to resolve the matterrdquo