Event organisers and venue owners in Mangaluru are grappling with a new regulatory hurdle that mandates obtaining a fresh No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the use of sound systems for every single event held on private open spaces. This rule, which has been enforced more strictly from the current season, applies to all open-air events, whether they are private functions, commercial gatherings, or religious ceremonies.
Operational Bottlenecks for Venue Owners
The requirement for a per-event sound NOC has created significant operational challenges. Owners of popular open-air event venues, who host an average of 40 to 50 events annually, find the process to be time-consuming and cumbersome. With the festive and wedding season in full swing, the pressure has intensified. One city-based event space owner revealed that in December alone, they host about 10 to 15 events, which now necessitates daily visits to the jurisdictional police station for approvals.
"From this season, it is mandatory to take an NOC for sound or music, which means literally running every day to the police station," the owner said. They added that a one-time NOC for the venue would be a far more convenient and practical solution for organisers who regularly host events.
Dedicated Resources for Multiple Permissions
The administrative burden has increased to such an extent that some organisers have had to assign a dedicated staff member solely to handle the task of securing multiple permissions. This includes not just the sound NOC but also other necessary licences like the CL-5 licence. Another event space owner confirmed that while the sound NOC requirement existed earlier, its enforcement has become much stricter recently, leaving little room for flexibility.
Police Clarify Rules and Rationale
When contacted, ACP (South) Vijaykranthi clarified the scope and intent of the rule. She stated that it is mandatory for all events held in open spaces, regardless of their nature—be they on private property or elsewhere—to obtain the sound NOC. The primary objective is to ensure organisers adhere to strict guidelines on permissible sound decibel levels and to stop audio playback after the stipulated permitted time.
"We have also informed them that no complaints from the neighbours should be raised for violating sound rules," ACP Vijaykranthi emphasised. Her jurisdiction, on average, processes about 4 to 5 such permissions daily, indicating the high volume of events in the region. The police stance is clear: organisers must comply fully with the regulations to prevent noise pollution and maintain public order.
The new layer of bureaucracy, while aimed at controlling noise, has undoubtedly added a logistical hurdle for Mangaluru's thriving events industry, prompting calls for a more streamlined approval process.
