BHUBANESWAR: The city is witnessing massive traffic congestion and sound pollution due to rigorous campaigning and road shows by mayoral candidates ahead of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation elections.
Lately, daily commuters have been facing a tough time waiting in snarls for hours in the scorching heat as political parties conduct rallies on busy roads. High-decibel sound of rallies also add to the woes of commuters.
Though noise level up to 65 decibel is permissible during poll campaign, parties are using high-volume speakers that make blasting sound on their campaign vehicles. City DCP Uma Shankar Das, however, said political parties are using speakers and mics after taking permission from police.
“Parties seek permission before using speakers during campaigns. Also, mobile squads have been formed to take action against norm violators,” Das added.
With a few days to go for the civic polls, candidates are rushing to reach out to all voters through various mediums, said Odisha Election Watch (OEW) coordinator Ranjan Mohanty. “Especially, the mayoral candidates are using loud music in their campaigns. The conscious and educated urban voters may go against them if they portray irresponsible behaviour. So every party should stick to the existing sound-pollution norms,” he added.
Mohanty suggested that the state pollution control board should also take note of norm violations and serve notice to violators.
The office of the election officer that has set up a model code of conduct (MCC) control room at the BMC will receive complaints on MCC violations and enlist them. The control room will then disseminate the complaints, if found genuine, among the zonal magistrates and squads for action to be taken.
