Barat ghars in trouble, HC want action, district authorities firm on noiseless weddings

By Brij Khandelwal

Agra: Fun of getting married in Agra or joining a boisterous barat is about to end. Allahabad High Court has taken a serious note of Vijay Nagar Colony resident’s complaint, who have lost their peace and tranquility because of the sudden mushrooming of banquet halls and barat ghars in the area. Right now there are close to a dozen such marriage halls in just one colony, while the city has over 100 banquet halls where night long loud music by DJs has alarmingly raised the decibel level. Agra Development Authority has identified 83 of which only three have required permission.

A senior official of ADA said threat in Vijay Nagar Colony not a single barat ghar had permission. Notices have thrice been served and demolition squad is just waiting for green signal. Residents of Agra's oldest colony Vijay Nagar in heart of city, first protested, wrote to civic authorities and when no response came, approached Allahabad HC which has served a notice to district authorities.
Targeted in petition are local officials, state pollution control board and Development Authority.

Sanjeev Chaturvedi, one of 5 petitioners, told www.mediabharti.com that the banquet halls followed no rules, had raised the noise pollution level by allowing DJs to perform late in night, throwing wastage from dinners on streets which attracted stray animals. Brass bands and fire crackers were additional nuisances. Of late the trend of firing by baratis from pistols or rifles was catching on.

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