Delhi the least noisiest metro this year: CPCB

Firecrackers may have worsened Delhi’s air-quality levels, but metros across the country were comparitively less noisy since last year, according to Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) noise monitoring study. CPCB, an autonomous pollution watchdog under union environment ministry, assessed noise levels at 70 locations in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow Bangalore and Hyderabad on October 30. CPCB’s data has shown that across cities noise levels is largely on the decline with the exception of a few spikes. The assessment puts out a 24-hour average decibel (dB) level categorised into day and night time periods as both have separate noise limits as per the Noise Rules, 2000.

The 24-hour average noise levels range between 54dB and 88dB. Each year, schools, colleges and civil society groups initiate awareness drives in the days leading up to Diwali to reduce noise levels and air pollution. In Mumbai, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board in partnership with non-profit organizations such as Awaaz Foundation carry out noise tests of firecrackers. The noise limit of a single firecracker is 125dB while that of a series is 110dB. Usually, the rassi bomb is found to be the noisiest along with the 1000 series ladi.