In a strict enforcement drive against noise pollution and licensing violations, the Pune Police have taken decisive action against multiple establishments in the city's upscale Koregaon Park and Vimannagar areas over the weekend. The crackdown resulted in the sealing of eateries and the seizure of high-value sound equipment.
Koregaon Park Eateries Face Music
The Koregaon Park police, led by Senior Inspector Vijaykumar Doke and Sub Inspector Shrikant Chavan, conducted targeted raids on Friday and Saturday nights. The action was prompted by complaints of excessively loud music being played by DJs, disturbing the peace in the residential locality.
Police teams targeted two specific eateries situated on Lane Number 7 of Koregaon Park. Officials found that each establishment had between 100 to 150 customers who were dancing and enjoying meals with the loud music. Following the raids, the patrons were allowed to finish their meals, but the police confiscated the music systems.
The seized equipment, including music players and amplifiers from the two eateries, is collectively valued at over Rs 4 lakh. Cases have been registered against these eateries under the stringent provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act.
Sealing Orders Until January
In a related action earlier on Wednesday night, police had sealed another eatery located on North Main Road in Koregaon Park for similar violations of playing loud music. This establishment will remain sealed until January 2.
Adding to the weekend's enforcement, one of the eateries raided on Lane No. 7 has also been sealed with the same deadline of January 2. This underscores the police's zero-tolerance approach towards noise pollution norms, especially during late-night hours.
Simultaneous Action in Vimannagar
In a parallel operation, the State Excise Department raided a pub in the Vimannagar area in the early hours of Saturday, around 5 am. The raid uncovered significant licensing breaches.
State Excise Superintendent Atul Kanade stated that the pub was operating well beyond the permissible time mentioned in its licence. A case has been registered against 52 individuals, which included 42 young patrons consuming liquor and 10 pub staff members.
Authorities seized foreign-made liquor and other equipment from the venue, with the total value of the confiscated items exceeding Rs 3.67 lakh. While two pub operators managed to flee and are currently being searched for, two managers were apprehended. They were produced before a city court on Saturday afternoon and have been remanded to judicial custody until January 10.
A Clear Message on Law and Order
These coordinated actions by the Pune Police and the State Excise Department send a strong message to hospitality businesses about adhering to regulations concerning noise levels and operating hours. The enforcement of the Environment Act for noise violations indicates a serious approach to curbing public nuisance.
The incidents highlight the ongoing tension between the city's vibrant nightlife and residential peace, with authorities now taking a firmer stance to ensure rules are not flouted. Residents of upscale areas like Koregaon Park have often complained about noise from restaurants and pubs, and this recent crackdown appears to be a direct response to such grievances.
