By Maxwell Pereira
Marriages and social functions in a society are essential realities of life. They make life vibrant, liveable and enjoyable. Some celebrate or perform these functions with pomp and splendour, some others make do with what is barely necessary, and even some others suffer to keep up with expected norms at the cost of debt and penury. While those concerned try to enjoy these events, those others not concerned also need to accept the event, if social living has to be harmonious.
In today's city life though, with constraints on space and time, holding social functions is not always easy without impinging on the convenience of others. Especially of those in the neighbourhood or proximate vicinity. And especially in terms of noise and obstruction. Hence the need for regulation - to ensure that the right of one to enjoy does not tread on the right of another not to have his convenience, peace and calm violated.
Some of the basic norms employed by the authorities to regulate the 'social functions' activity need to be known by all. That erecting of a shamiana or pandal for a marriage or other social function on a busy road is something not permitted. This could be permitted though in by-lanes of localities with less traffic, with the prior permission of the local police, who in turn would grant permission after clearance from the local Traffic Circle. In addition, the 'no objection' or permission of the land owning authority/agency would have to be obtained wherever deemed necessary. And as part of this very restriction, no shamiana/ tent-house owner can supply or erect any material on a public road, park or by-lane without ensuring that the party concerned has prior permission from the local police.
Marriage processions are not to be allowed on busy roads, roundabouts, road-crossings and such other places considered unsuitable from the traffic management point of view. Neither should the route used have occasion to cross the road or roundabouts. These processions are not in any case to be permitted on important roads required to be notified as such from time to time by DCP/Traffic. Such processions are normally permissible on pavements, for not more than 250 meters from the venue of function. Where no pavement is available, the marriage procession is required to hug the side and occupy not more than 1/4th of the road-width while confining itself to a distance of not more than the said 250meters.
| No generator set for illumination during a marriage procession is permitted on grounds of causing pollution and being a hazard. |
Not everyone knows that music systems mounted on vehicles are not permitted. But in tune with tradition, a band party with normal instruments are accepted as part of the 'barat' marriage procession. Consequently, no public-address-system/ loudspeaker supplier shall supply or install any equipment without confirming that the party concerned has the written permission for the same from the local police. In such a case, the noise/sound level should conform to the provisions of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules - 2000 framed under the Environment (Protection) Act -1986.
No animals other than the traditional mare or 'goda' can be part of the marriage procession. And the use of crackers or firing in the air with firearms, are all prohibited activities. No generator set for illumination during a marriage procession is permitted on grounds of causing pollution and being a hazard. But use of 'inverters' for the purpose is permitted.
Finally, parking of vehicles on public roads causing obstruction in the flow of traffic is not to be permitted. Here the onus invariably is on the person giving/ leasing out the premises for marriages or other social functions, to ensure adequate and un-obstructive parking place within the premises. Violation of this condition would not only invite the wrath of other road users, but also prosecution of such owner of the premises. Which case of course is inevitable for violation of any of the other norms described in this advisory too.
© copyright : Maxwell Pereira
Courtesy Mid Day, dated August 7, 2002
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