Belagavi police have prohibited the use of DJ systems, high‑decibel loudspeakers, and plasma or laser light displays during the city’s Ganesh festival, citing safety, noise‑pollution and eye‑hazard concerns and urging compliance with court orders and police guidelines.
Police Commissioner Prakash Nikam called on the office‑bearers of Ganesh Mandals to strictly observe court judgments, prescribed routes, pollution norms and all other directives issued by the police and district administration, and to coordinate closely with law‑enforcement. He convened meetings with mandal officials, other police officers and Mandal Federation chairman Vikas Kalaghatagi to convey these expectations.
The department has been preparing for the immersion procession for the past two months, basing security arrangements on inputs from intelligence agencies, the city corporation, district administration and other sources. The commissioner seeks to accelerate the immersion, which traditionally stretches up to 36 hours; earlier mandals vied to be among the first to immerse their idols, but now they compete to be the last, a prolonged schedule that worries organizers, officers and the public.
Mandals were urged to avoid last‑minute changes to approved procession routes, which could spark law‑and‑order problems and unnecessary confrontations with police. They were also asked to complete idol‑arrival ceremonies before 10 p.m. and to keep sound systems within prescribed limits, noting that the number of speakers has grown from one or two to a literal wall of speakers, creating noise pollution that can affect senior citizens, the sick and children. DJs are expressly prohibited during idol‑arrival processions, and separate immersion norms will be issued.
The police reiterated that plasma and laser displays will not be permitted because they cause light pollution and pose serious eye‑safety risks. Maintaining peace in Belagavi is deemed critical, as any disturbance could impact normal life across three neighbouring states.
