Do not test us,” is the message to developers by police commissioner Sanjay Pandey. He said this on his Sunday live-stream while alerting about the March 31 deadline to install “sound cutters” at all under-construction sites in the city.
Pandey has warned contractors, builders, and developers of stern action if they fail to take this anti-noise pollution measure. So far, two developers and three labourers have been fined under the Bombay Police Act for noise pollution.
Developers have also been warned against laxity on leaving debris on the road. Pandey said that if the situation does not improve, the police will start taking action under the Indian Penal Code. In addition, the city’s top cop has warned of registering cases of criminal trespass and extortion against executive members of housing societies if they are found harassing occupants by disconnecting power or water supply of flats for non-payment of maintenance charges.
During his fourth Facebook Live on Sunday, Pandey said he has been talking of noise pollution, heavy construction work being carried out beyond stipulated hours, littering on road, and even carrying out work on Sundays, but his warnings have fallen on deaf ears.
The police commissioner also discussed the action plan on hawkers’ issues, generic noise pollution due to loudspeakers, traffic violations, and roadside abandonment of khataras (vehicles past their age). He said more police personnel will be deployed to man the streets, and classes on cybercrime will be organised for Mumbaikars. “It has been advised to stop matches played with loudspeakers. If this doesn’t improve, we are going to deal with it very stringently.
The commissioner also said the police force are looking to find a suitable place to dump all khataras and also follow with government channels to send all vehicles from dump yards for scrap.
On cybercrime, Pandey said citizens should understand that they are falling prey to online fraud. “I was a cyber practitioner for almost five to 10 years and it seems I have to take a session to impart knowledge on the dos and don’ts of cyber behaviour so that one will understand that one should not click on an email or SMS link or share confidential details on the phone as no bank or telecom company will ask for personal details,” he said during the FB streaming.
Appreciating Mumbaikars for praising the police for providing security and arranging for places on Sundays for people to take part in yoga, cycling, biking, and other such activities, Pandey said, “Next week we plan to arrange for a bigger space for all. We want more people to come forward. As a gift, we are going to give police caps to all those who participate.”
