Chandigarh, Oct. 20 -- For hundreds of competitive exam aspirants who head to the Divisional Library (South) in Sector 34 to prepare for their examinations, the evening hours have become increasingly difficult, with loud music from a Dussehra fair set up nearby disrupting their studies for the past few days. With DJ music starting around 4 pm and continuing into the evening, students say the noise has been affecting their concentration, particularly on the library's upper floors. The library, located in Chandigarh's coaching hub, attracts students preparing for civil services, Staff Selection Commission (SSC) exam and other competitive tests from across the city and neighbouring areas. The facility remains open from 8 am to 10 pm, with a regular daily footfall of around 2,000 visitors, which rises to nearly 3,000 during examination periods. The administration has promised necessary action. Students said the problem had become more noticeable over the past week. Sachin, who is preparing for the civil services examinations, said the loud music from the fair was affecting students trying to study in the library. "The fair is set up right in front of the library, and loud music starts playing after 4pm. It becomes difficult to concentrate on studies when the DJ is playing," he said. Rakhi, who is preparing for the SSC examinations, said the noise could be heard on the third and fourth floors of the four-storey building. While the basement, ground floor and first floor remain relatively unaffected, students sitting on the upper floors find it difficult to focus. The third floor also closes early, at around 6 pm, further limiting the space available to students seeking a quieter environment. Librarian Parveen Kumar said the issue was sensitive as the land where the fair has been organised does not belong to the library. He added that permission for the event was granted by the deputy commissioner and the library authorities were not in a position to oppose the decision. "We cannot say much because the land does not belong to us, and the permission has been granted by the DC. The matter also comes under the municipal corporation," Kumar said, adding that the fair was expected to continue until December. Deputy commissioner Nitish Yadav, when contacted, said, "Will get it checked and ensure that the sound levels remain within the prescribed ones." Under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, permissible noise levels vary according to the area's classification. The prescribed ambient noise limit for commercial areas is 65 decibels (dB) during the day and 55 dB at night, while residential areas have limits of 55 and 45 dB, respectively. Areas officially designated as silence zones have stricter limits of 50 dB during the day and 40 dB at night. However, a silence-zone classification is not automatic merely because a library is nearby; the applicable designation and permitted noise levels need to be verified....