Dear Editor,
Dr. Yog Mahadeo’s ‘Noise Nuisance’ letter (SN 22.03.22) has compelled me to abandon the ranks of the silent majority and to speak out on a similar distressing situation with which residential communities adjacent to the Providence Stadium are faced, whenever shows and concerts are staged there. Over-amplified music, discordant notes and loud mouthed DJs, or announcers, continue into the ridiculous hours of the morning and most recently –daybreak.
Editor, if ever the Covid Pandemic cloud were to have a silver lining, for me, it would have to be the two year hiatus on public shows and concerts, which provided welcome relief from the occurrence of these noisy events at Providence. The easing of Covid restrictions in February saw a flurry of activities during Republic Anniversary week, followed most recently by the day-long Phagwah/Holi holiday celebration. A total of six loud, and over-amplified “concerts”, lasting 8 to 10 hours each, from the time the musicians commenced their warming up and equipment testing. Rehearsals as well – all at high volume in an empty stadium, in the early parts of the day or evening, before the commencement of the show.
Let me emphasize here that this issue is not at all about concerts and shows being staged at the stadium, or anywhere else for that matter. People must have their recreation and fun, but within the limits of the law. It is all about adherence to legally enforceable noise nuisance regulations which apply to the National Stadium as much as it does to the village rum shop or the wedding house. And one would expect the example to be set by them. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport must ensure that the existing protocols for shows and concerts at the Stadium are strictly adhered to, especially as they impact adjacent communities and the non-participating public at large. The main detractors of this are the show organizers, and the music and stage managers who use the precept of a Ministry or Government activity, as the reason for exceeding decibel levels. So that show or concert organizers, or their duly appointed representatives, flout the decibel control regulation with impunity under shelter of the National Stadium administration.
I should mention that reports to the Providence Police Station during noisy shows are always courteously handled and patrols are dispatched, however little relief is experienced. For the benefit of adjacent residential communities, I trust that the Providence Stadium administration would review the current untenable situation and engage stakeholders in an effort to provide some relief to residents in their homes during show time.
Sincerely,
Rowland Fletcher