Have you been losing sleep because of the noisy construction activities nearby? Breathe easy. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has finally decided to curb noise pollution at construction sites.
The board plans to fix noise limits for bulldozers, mobile cranes, cement mixers, generators, offload dumpers and other vehicles that are used at construction sites in A and B class cities. Europe and the US already have strict norms in place.
SS Bala, additional director of CPCB and head of the National Committee for Noise Pollution Control, said: “Currently, there are noise limits for only heavy off-road vehicles in India. That’s why the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Pune, has been given the task of measuring noise level of half a dozen heavy vehicles, including construction vehicles, at the manufacturer’s level.”
After the study by ARAI, which may take a year, the noise limits will be fixed.
According to experts, most of these machine-cum-vehicles create noise of 100 decibels (dB) and above, which is more than double the permissible levels of CPCB in residential areas — 55 dB during the day and 45dB at night.
ARAI and IIT-B will subsequently work to reduce the machines’ noise levels from 100 dB to at least 80 dB.
Dhanesh Manek, head of noise reduction lab at IIT-B’s mechanical engineering department, said: “Residents and labourers working at construction sites get affected due to noise pollution. The move aims to relieve everyone living on or near construction sites. And, those living in metros, such as Mumbai, where construction is a constant and major activity, will benefit the most.”
