On 29 August 2024, the Madras High Court granted conditional approval for India’s allegedly first Formula 4 night street race, set to take place on a 3.7-km circuit around Island Grounds in Chennai on 31 August and 1 September 2024. The approval hinges on the organizers securing a homologation certificate from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), which must be obtained by noon on the race day.
Conditional Approval
The First Division Bench, led by Acting Chief Justice D. Krishnakumar and Justice P.B. Balaji, emphasized the critical importance of this certification. The court warned that the race could not proceed if the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL), the licensee for Formula 4 races, fail to present the FIA certificate within the stipulated timeframe. This ruling follows submissions by Advocate-General P.S. Raman, who explained that FIA typically issues such certifications just hours before an event begins.
In response to concerns raised in a public interest litigation (PIL) by BJP spokesperson A.N.R. Prasad, represented by senior counsel V. Raghavachari and advocate Sunny Sheen Akara, the court mandated that a copy of the FIA certificate be shared with the petitioner’s counsel. The PIL sought to prevent the race, citing public safety and logistical concerns.
The court’s scrutiny also extended to traffic management, given the significant disruptions anticipated due to the event. An affidavit from V. Baskaran, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-East), detailed the extensive traffic diversions planned for the race days. The court directed the police to ensure smooth traffic flow on the diverted routes to minimize inconvenience for motorists. A robust police presence, comprising multiple Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, and constables, will be deployed in both the inner and outer peripheries of the race circuit. The police have also arranged parking facilities for 4,250 cars and 4,600 two-wheelers across 18 designated locations, including the University of Madras campus and other nearby grounds.
Sound Pollution & Hospitals Near Race Circuit
The court also addressed concerns related to nearby hospitals, including the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital and Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital. Recalling a February 19 directive by a previous Division Bench, the court reiterated the need to avoid disturbing in-patients during the race. The organizers have been ordered to install sound silence panels or acoustic sound panels to control noise within the hospitals, ensuring the highest degree of public safety during the event.
At a press conference the race organizers, when asked about the sound-related issues, said, “It will not affect the hospitals. We are putting sound barriers. We have taken NOC from the hospital. Traffic police is giving proper guidance. Health department is giving guidance. We are taking all the departments together, there is no such issue or problem.”
The organizers appeared to be clueless about the potential noise levels this event would generate. With hospitals less than a kilometre away from the race track and with the race cars expected to reach speeds of 200-240 km/h, it is not clear how much the sound barriers will work. When asked about the expected decibel levels, which should ideally stay within the safe limit of 70 dB, the organizers seemed clueless, raising further concerns about the event’s impact on public health and safety. They said, “I do not have the exact number, but we got the directions and accordingly we are placing at certain critical areas, sound barriers are being placed to ensure that these things are taken care of, especially in the areas of the hospital.”
The organizers of India's 1st Night Race event in #chennai city #TamilNadu, don't have any idea on the noise level that this event will generate…There are hospitals at 700m from this city road..Cars will be racing at 200-240kmph.. Too much risk involved for #TNGovt ?? pic.twitter.com/gI9aAF4Qa7
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) August 30, 2024
According to WION reporter Sidharth MP, this is the second time that event organizers have responded in this manner. They have consistently avoided disclosing specific numbers regarding the event’s expected decibel levels.
I'm not sure of the name of this senior person. However, this is the second time that event organizers have replied this way. They have never revealed specific numbers on the event's expected decibel level.
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) August 30, 2024
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