The Bombay High Court today appointed a five-member committee to monitor if the organisers of Kala Ghoda festival of art and culture violate any conditions imposed by authorities for holding the annual show.
The committee was appointed by a bench headed by Justice V M Kanade which asked the members to submit a report within four weeks, while hearing a public interest litigation.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on March 3.
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The organisers of the festival gave an undertaking to the Court that no loudspeakers and drums would be used during the shows at the festival.
The Court also suggested that this committee may also consider monitoring other festivals such as Ganeshotsav held in the city.
The bench was hearing a petition filed by Borges Yazdi Malu who stays in Commerce lane close to Kala Ghoda where the festival is being held from February 2 to 9.
Alleging health hazards, noise pollution, traffic jams and security risks, the petition prayed for cancellation of licence for holding the festival.
The PIL alleged that in the past the organisers have violated the noise pollution laws by crossing the prescribed decibels.
Also, the garbage generated during the festival has become home to mosquitoes, rodents and dogs thereby posing a health hazard for residents, the petition claimed.
However, Kala Ghoda Association denied any violation of laws in the past. They moved a chamber summons saying that the petition should be dismissed as it has made false and baseless allegations.
The association also said that top priority was given to hygiene and cleanliness, and dirt is not littered on the streets as alleged in the petition.
