SIKKIM: Too loud to be music to Gangtok ears

FROM THE TELEGRAPH


Gangtok, Jan. 10: A world class music system in the Sikkim capital’s showpiece promenade is no longer music to the ears of its residents.

To those living within 400m radius of MG Marg, the 38 Bose speakers installed for Rs 19.98 lakh at the old Children’s Park not six months ago are now a bane, with music blaring till 10pm on still winter nights — two hours more than the scheduled timing.

The music system had been installed by the power department and handed over to the urban development department for operation. It is operated from a 11/11KV substation of the power department at the park, just above MG Marg.

The Marg or the promenade is located in the heart of the town and sports a mall-like look with upmarket hotels and stores, wooing tourists and locals alike. The music system with the speakers fitted to lampposts had been touted as a value addition to the 400-metre MG Marg.

During the installation, the authorities had said the music would be played from 6am to 9.30pm in summer and from 6pm to 8pm in winter.

However, the local people have complained that the blaring noise is now posing problems. They have appealed to the authorities concerned and the Gangtok Municipal Corporation to limit the playing of the music system to the stipulated time.

The volume is too high creating a nuisance during evening hours, complained most of the residents. “We are not against installing the music system but sometimes the music goes on till 10pm disturbing the sleep,” one of them said.
“The intensity of the music cannot be felt while walking along MG Marg but it is painful to those living above ground floors of the nearby buildings. Our children cannot concentrate on their studies. We will be writing to the authorities concerned to bring down the music timing in the evening. We have brought the matter to the notice of the Gangtok Municipal Corporation,” said another resident.

Gangtok mayor K.N. Topgay said he was aware of the complaints on the music system. “I have taken the complaint seriously and will be giving a direction to the control room people to play the music till the specified time only so that the local people are not disturbed,” he said