MP High Court Indore: Garbage Van Noise Must Be Curtailed

• The MP High Court at Indore ordered the State and Indore Municipal Corporation to strictly curb noise pollution, citing "unbridled noise pollution" during festive seasons.
• The court mandated the supply of sound meters to all Indore police stations and the publication of noise complaint contact numbers for public access.
• Indore Municipal Corporation's garbage vans must reduce their loudspeaker volume to permissible decibel limits or by at least 75% of their current level.
• The court directed the appointment of ward-level volunteers to report noise violations and record evidence, serving as a contact point for hesitant residents.
• A compliance report is due within three weeks, with the next hearing scheduled for the week commencing November 23, 2026, to review adherence to the directives.

The Corporation is now required to reduce the noise from these vehicles to permissible decibel limits for such operations or, at minimum, to at least 25% of its present volume.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court at Indore issued a significant order on October 26, 2026, addressing pervasive noise pollution across the city. A Division Bench comprising Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Jai Kumar Pillai delivered the ruling in the case of Amitabh Upadhyay and Another vs State of Madhya Pradesh and Others, after reserving its decision on October 5. The court expressed considerable dissatisfaction with the State's efforts to enforce silence zones and control noise levels, particularly noting the "unbridled noise pollution" that occurred during the recent Navratri and Dussehra festivals, during which police appeared "totally helpless."

Among the specific concerns highlighted was the excessive noise emanating from the Indore Municipal Corporation's garbage collection vehicles. The court observed that the "cleanliness song" played by loudspeakers on these vans operated at "full blast," thereby violating "all legal norms." This directive specifically targets the issue of MP High Court Indore garbage van noise, demanding immediate action to bring these vehicles into compliance with noise regulations.

To combat the persistent noise issue, the High Court has outlined a series of stringent directives aimed at enhancing enforcement. It mandated that sound-measuring devices be supplied to every police station throughout Indore, noting that a device presented by ACP (Khajrana) Ashish Patel had not yet been utilized publicly for recording noise or taking action. Furthermore, the court ordered the publication of contact numbers for noise complaints for each police station in local newspapers and on the Indore Police website, ensuring citizens can promptly reach the appropriate authorities.

A key component of the court's order specifically targets the Indore Municipal Corporation and its fleet of garbage collection vehicles. While acknowledging the beneficial role these vans play in informing residents of their arrival, the court firmly stated that the volume of the cleanliness song played via their loudspeakers "crosses all the legal norms." This finding underscores a critical aspect of Indore Municipal Corporation noise compliance.

The Corporation is now required to reduce the noise from these vehicles to permissible decibel limits for such operations. As an alternative, the court stipulated that the volume must be lowered to "at least 25% of its present volume." This directive aims to mitigate the impact of garbage collection vehicle decibel limits on the city's residents, ensuring that essential public services do not contribute to noise pollution.

The court's recent order also revisited its earlier directive from September 24, 2026, which required the State to publish a comprehensive list of silence zones in widely circulated daily newspapers. The State's submission of mere newspaper excerpts was deemed "not the proper compliance" by the Bench. Consequently, the respondents are now obligated to properly publish the list and actively solicit suggestions for designating additional prominent areas as silence zones, thereby strengthening Madhya Pradesh silence zones enforcement.

To ensure accountability, the court demanded that all police stations across the city record and submit details of every noise complaint received, including any suo motu complaints, to demonstrate their response to the widespread noise pollution. Despite the history of non-compliance, the court expressed a hopeful outlook, stating, "We still refuse to give up on the city of Indore," and voiced confidence that collaborative efforts would bring about the desired "change and peace." A compliance report is due within three weeks, and the matter is scheduled for further hearing in the week commencing November 23, 2026. Advocate Abhinav Dhanodkar represented the petitioners, Government Advocate Pradyumna Kibe appeared for the State, and Advocate Rishi Tiwari was to receive a copy of the order for the Corporation.

Lawyers advising clients in Indore, particularly public bodies or businesses operating vehicles with loudspeakers, must ensure strict compliance with noise pollution regulations and the newly mandated decibel limits for vehicles. Compliance officers within the Indore Municipal Corporation and local police face immediate deadlines to implement sound-measuring devices, establish public complaint mechanisms, and ensure adherence to court directives to avoid further legal action and scrutiny.

Source: Original reporting via court order details.