The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has informed the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court that it is developing an integrated online platform called “Pollution Free Nagpur” to help citizens report noise pollution complaints through a single system. The information was submitted through an additional affidavit filed by Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on rising noise pollution in the city. During the hearing, a division bench of Justices Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Nivedita Mehta directed the Nagpur Police Commissioner and the Municipal Commissioner to file detailed affidavits by August 25 on the steps taken to control noise pollution.

 

The court also took note of a video clip submitted by Amicus Curiae Adv Abdul Subhan regarding the alleged illegal use of DJ systems in the city. He informed the court that the video would also be submitted to the Police Commissioner. According to the affidavit, the new portal will allow citizens to file complaints through the NMC website without approaching different government departments separately. A complainant will log in using a registered mobile number and OTP. The user will then select the “Grievances” section, choose the Environment Department, mark the location of the complaint and submit the details online.

 

Once the complaint is registered, the system will automatically identify the concerned police jurisdiction through zone-wise mapping. It will forward the complaint to the concerned Deputy Commissioner of Police and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board for immediate action. The portal will also track every complaint until it is resolved. It will monitor the action taken and escalate pending complaints to higher authorities whenever required. The NMC said the integrated system will improve coordination between the civic body, police, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and district administration.

 

It also assured the court that the new mechanism would not affect the legal powers of any department. Until the new portal becomes fully operational, citizens can continue to lodge complaints through the existing NMC grievance portal. These complaints will continue to be forwarded to the concerned authorities. The NMC has appointed its Director (Information Technology) as the nodal officer to coordinate with all departments and ensure smooth implementation of the “Pollution Free Nagpur” portal. The civic body assured the High Court that it will provide a transparent, user-friendly and effective system for handling noise pollution complaints.