While the office has already issued notices to the Varanasi Nagar Nigam, asking for the list of registered nursing homes for safe disposal of bio -medical wastes, it has also eyed on the sources of noise and air pollution especially the marriage ceremonies that witness operation of generators without canopies and high voltage DJ and orchestra that operate even in the late night hours.

"Apart from nursing homes and medical centres, we have asked the VNN to provide the list of registered marriage halls that have the licence to operate during the marriage season," said Ghanshyam, regional officer of UP state pollution control board while talking to TOI on Monday. "We are also looking into the matter witnessing complaints of residents in some parts of the city for flouting the pollution control norms," he added.

It may be mentioned that chief environment officer (CEO) Rajeev Upadhyaya visited the city in the last week and took stock of various sources of pollution including the pollutants in Ramnagar Industrial Area. In addition, the CEO also took strong note of complaints of flouting pollution level norms in Mahmooorganj and Sankat Mochan area.

As per reports of the regional office of pollution control board, the Sigra police station has already been asked to initiate action against a department store in Mahmoorganj area (reported to be operating genset without canopy) and the action against a marriage house (lawn) in Sankat Mochan area is also likely to be initiated.

Similarly, as many as 86 industrial units in Ramnagar Industrial Area have also been asked to ensure pollution from industrial effluents under permissible limit with installation of treatment plants.

According to Aslam Parvez Khan, conservator, Ramnagar Industrial Association, the various industrial units including the paper mills have been asked to control the pollution level that has threatened to affect the nearby fertile lands and holy Ganga water.

Taking cue from the initiatives from the pollution control board regional office, the VNN has also contemplated sending notices to as many as 40 nursing homes believed to be flouting the norms for disposal of medical wastes. In addition, the recent report from VNN has indicated that only 181 out of 500 medical centres and nursing homes in the city are registered for safe disposal of bio-medical waste.

Box I: Sources of noise pollution -

Generators without canopies

Band parties

DJ, orchestra and other music shows

Bursting of fire crackers

Mike and loud speakers

Box II: Norms for noise pollution level-

As per Noise Pollution (regulation and control) Act, 2000-

The sources of sound intensity of more than 125 decibels are prohibited between 10 pm and 6 am

The generators operating for power back up should have canopies

The source of sound intensity of more than 100 decibels is not allowed within 100 m radius of silence zones including hospitals, courts, religious places without permission from competent authorities.

(As per records of regional office of pollution control board)