Amplified street performances in East Khasi Hills are facing tighter restrictions after the district administration prohibited the use of loudspeakers in public places as part of measures to maintain public order and control noise. The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), also requires prior permission for rallies, public meetings, demonstrations and other public gatherings.
The move is significant for Shillong and other parts of East Khasi Hills, where public spaces, roads and tourist areas frequently host cultural activities and gatherings. While the district order does not separately name street musicians or buskers, its prohibition on loudspeakers in public places directly affects performances that rely on amplified sound.
East Khasi Hills tightens public noise rules
The East Khasi Hills district administration listed the order on its official website on August 20, 2026. It states that no person, group or organisation can organise or participate in a rally, procession, demonstration, public meeting or assembly without prior written permission from the district administration. The same order strictly prohibits the use of loudspeakers in public places.
The restrictions come amid broader efforts by the district authorities to regulate activities in public spaces. In August, another order issued under Section 163 BNSS prohibited roadside cooking, littering and indiscriminate disposal of waste at notified tourist destinations, roadways, viewpoints and public places across East Khasi Hills.
These measures indicate a wider administrative focus on public order, cleanliness, safety and the management of activities in busy public areas.
What the restrictions mean for amplified street performances
The latest restrictions are particularly relevant to amplified street performances, because loudspeakers and public-address equipment are commonly used to project music or announcements across open areas.
Performers using sound amplification in public places may therefore face restrictions under the district order. The measure does not necessarily amount to a blanket prohibition on all forms of street performance. Instead, the key restriction concerns the use of loudspeakers in public places and activities requiring administrative permission.
This distinction is important because Meghalaya has actively promoted music and grassroots artistic activity. The Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project has described street performances as a potential platform for local artists and highlighted the state’s strong musical traditions.
The latest order could therefore require performers and event organisers to reconsider how public performances are conducted, particularly in areas where amplified sound could affect residents or other members of the public.
Existing noise rules already limit loud sound
East Khasi Hills has previously maintained specific conditions governing loudspeakers, public-address systems and music systems. A district order issued in December 2023 said organisers must not use such systems between 10 pm and 6 am and must keep sound within prescribed noise limits. It also required organisers to ensure that sound remains confined to the event area and does not disturb nearby residents.
The order referred to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, and prescribed ambient noise standards for industrial, commercial, residential and silence zones. For residential areas, the cited limits are 55 dB(A) during the day and 45 dB(A) at night, while silence zones have lower permissible levels.
The latest restriction therefore builds on an existing regulatory framework rather than introducing noise control in the district for the first time.
Public order and residents’ concerns
Noise management has become an important part of regulating public activities in Shillong and surrounding areas. Public gatherings, processions and performances can generate sound, traffic congestion and large crowds, particularly in busy urban locations.
In June, the Khasi Students’ Union’s Laban Circle raised concerns with the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner over a Muharram procession in Laban. The organisation cited late-night noise, traffic disruption and safety concerns while asking the administration to ensure that public processions followed established rules.
Such concerns highlight the challenge faced by authorities in balancing cultural and artistic expression with the interests of residents, pedestrians, businesses and emergency services.
Impact on Shillong’s music culture
The restrictions may prompt artists and organisers to explore quieter formats for performances in public spaces. Acoustic performances, smaller events and activities held at authorised venues could provide alternatives where amplification is restricted.
For Meghalaya, the issue carries added importance because music remains closely linked with the state’s cultural identity and tourism economy. Shillong has long promoted itself as a major music destination, while government-backed initiatives have sought to provide opportunities for emerging musicians.
The administration’s challenge will be to enforce noise regulations consistently while ensuring that legitimate cultural activities can continue within the law.
For now, amplified street performances in public places face a significantly tighter regulatory environment in East Khasi Hills. Performers and organisers will need to comply with the district administration’s restrictions and obtain required permissions for regulated public activities. The move underscores Meghalaya’s growing emphasis on managing noise, public order and the use of shared public spaces.
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