Activists plan PIL for light pollution rules

MUMBAI: Following the Mumbai collector's decision ordering Wilson Gymkhana to remove four floodlights that disturb nearby residents, activist Nilesh Desai and Awaaz Foundation plan to file a public interest litigation for greater action and guidelines to curb light pollution .

Mumbai city collector Shivaji Jondale, in a recent order against use of floodlights, said the gymkhana will have to take them down within a month or face action. The collector's office during an inspection found that the gymkhana had erected four poles and installed high-intensity floodlights without permission from them or BMC.

In the last two years, Desai has knocked at the doors of several agencies demanding action against the use of floodlights at the gymkhana in the evening and night. "The lights from the gymkhanas along Marine Drive were disturbing my family and neighbours as they were kept on even past 10pm. There are no guidelines and a mechanism to complaint against light pollution. Through the PIL, we will demand rules for the use of lights throughout the city, the state and if possible, even the country," he said.

The authorities at Wilson Gymkhana said they are working on a solution. "For the past one-and-a-half years, we have been ensuring that the lights are switched off at 10pm. We are yet to get a copy of the order, but will approach the collector's office to give us time to find a solution. We will consider changing the lumens of the floodlights so that it doesn't affect residents," said Amin Pawar, senior manager, Wilson Gymkhana.

In January, Awaaz Foundation had recorded illumination levels along Marine Drive and found it to be bright enough to disturb motorists and harmful for residents. The floodlights from Wilson Gymkhana emitted 84,800 lux (one lumen per square metre). While there are no guidelines to curb light pollution, experts feel if a direct source of light of more than 54,000 lux enters one's home, it could be harmful to the residents. tnn

