Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 26 Jul: A dispute spanning six months regarding loud music played late at night and other rule violations at Hotel Romeo Lane, located in the Picture Palace area here, is now casting doubt on the functioning of the administration. The complainant alleges that despite repeated complaints lodged with the police, the SDM, the municipality, and the CM Helpline, no responsible official has taken effective action so far.
The matter reached the police station on Sunday, where the complainant and local residents reiterated their grievances regarding the late-night noise and violations of regulations. Hotel manager Rohit Pathak also arrived at the station. According to sources, he admitted that loud music had indeed been played at the hotel late at night. He apologised to the complainant and assured them that such incidents would not recur and that all regulations would be strictly followed.
However, the complainant argues that, if the hotel management itself admits to the fault, the crucial question remains: why did the departments concerned fail to take action despite continuous complaints over the past six months. They allege that despite submitting written and online complaints to the Mussoorie SDM, the police, and the municipal administration on multiple occasions, the matter remained confined to mere assurances.
The complainant claims that during the investigation of a complaint lodged with the CM Helpline, the Pollution Control Board confirmed violations of noise pollution norms and directed the concerned officials to take action. Despite this, the absence of any punitive measures is fuelling resentment among local residents.
Locals point out that, while the police usually intervene to stop loud music after 10 p.m. in other parts of Mussoorie, in this specific case, the responsibility for action remained caught in a tangle between the municipality and the police. This is also raising questions regarding the uniform application of the law. Local residents now demand that the matter should not be closed merely with an apology; instead, if rules have been violated, impartial action should be taken in accordance with the relevant provisions. They maintain that uniform rules should apply to all establishments in this tourist town and that timely action on complaints must be ensured.
