India, Oct. 8 -- After becoming the first city in Maharashtra to have DJ-free Ganesh festival celebrations, Solapur has also now become the first city in the state to have as many as 289 religious places voluntarily remove loudspeakers from their premises. This marks a major milestone in the city's efforts to curb noise pollution and at the same time, maintain communal harmony.

Of the said 289 religious places, 192 are Muslim institutions including mosques, madrasas and dargahs, 79 are temples, 10 are churches, and eight are Buddhist Viharas; all of which previously had loudspeakers installed in their premises. The move follows sustained efforts by the Solapur city police across three phases.

In June this year, the Solapur city police b...