Millions of Indians may sleep easier after the Supreme Court banned loud music, firecrackers and the honking of vehicle horns at night.
The court ban — issued on Monday and posted on Tuesday — prevents horns from being sounded between 10pm and 6am, and bans firecrackers, loud music and parties between the same hours.
It came in response to a public-interest lawsuit that called for action against noise-makers in the country of more than one billion people.
Health experts say noise pollution in India has emerged as a major cause of heart ailments and other stress-related diseases.
The night-time ban on firecrackers will curtail their widespread use at religious events and weddings and other social occasions.
In New Delhi, the Indian capital of 14-million people that has more than two million vehicles, the noise level ranges between 60 and 90 decibels, compared with an official limit of 45 to 55 decibels.
During major holidays such as the Festival of Lights, or Diwali, the decibel level in New Delhi can touch 200. This is considered life-threatening by the privately run Centre for Science and Environment. — AFP