Know the rules first

In India the Environment Protection Act 1986 and the Rules on Noise 1989 and Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 have been defined. Under this Act the following rules have been framed:
1. Noise is a pollutant
2. Maximum Decibel levels permitted as per 'Noise Pollution Rules 2000' are as follows:

Area	Day time (6 A.M. to 10 P.M.)	Night time (10 P.M. to 6 A.M.)
Industrial	75dB	70dB
Commercial	65dB	55dB
Residential	55dB	45dB
Silence Zone	50dB	40dB

Silence Zone upto 100 meters around hospitals, educational institutions, Courts etc. Loudspeakers, vehicular horns are not allowed in Silence Zone at all.

3. Anyone violating the Act and Rules is liable for severe punishment; fine upto Rs.1,00,000/- and/or imprisonment upto 5 years.

4. If the institutions are found to be violating the Act, the Head of the Institution would be liable for punishment, even Government Institutions are not spared from this prosecution.

Ideal decibel levels at home would be 45dB during the day and 35dB during the night (in the bedroom). Usual decibel levels due to Radio and TV are 40 to 50, louder volumes could produce 60-65 dB or more; kitchen grinders 60-70dB, office typewriters 55 to 60dB, vehicular engines and horns 80—85 dB, roadside drilling machines 90-100 dB, aircraft noise 110-120 dB, loudspeakers 90-100 dB, could reach upto 100-120 dB during the festivals, loud noise firecrackers produce sound levels upto 110-120 dB (which are enough to permanently damage the eardrums).

According to the Noise Pollution (Regulations and Control) Rules 2000, A loudspeaker or a public address system shall not be used at night between 10 p.m. tp 6 a.m. except in closed premises for communication within, for example auditoria, conference rooms, community halls and banquet halls. For complaints to be made the noise level should exceed the ambient noise standards by 10 db or more. complaints can be made to authoority. The authority shall act on the complaint and take action against the violator in accordance with the provisions of these rules and any other law in force.

Avoid causing noise yourself

Don't be the source of noise pollution yourself first. In Traffic 1. Try not to use shrill horns on your vehicles,and use your horn sparingly only when required.
2. Wait for the vehicle in front of you to move on traffic signals before you blow your horn.Have some patience.
3. Reduce the volume levels of your car music system.Nobody wants to party with you in the middle of the road.
4. Check and make sure that your vehicle does not emit too much noise.
5. Please stop modifying your silencers.

At home

1. Turn down the volume levels of your TV,radio,music systems etc.
2. Avoid using loudspeakers on festivals.
3. Don't buy firecrackers that make noise instead buy those which light up your celebrations

Get into action

1. Form a group in your locality,apartment or society and be prepared to act and take up all violations to the police,municipality or the courts if necessary.There are already many such societies in Bangalore,check if there is one already around your home.
2. If there are any violations ring up the police control room (100) as well as the nearest police station.You are not bound to give your name and address. Please keep an accurate record of your complaints. If you phone the police control room, ask for your complaint ‘ticket’ number.Also get the name and designation of the officer who answers the phone, as well as the time and the date. If the concerned police officer refuses to act, the police commissioner will then be able to pull up his recalcitrant officers. Do make sure you mention all the relevant details in your complaint. Preferably make a group complaint.