Let's make some noise about noise

A noise mapping survey carried out by NGO Awaaz Foundation along with DNA, to measure noise levels at some of the busiest traffic junctions across Mumbai has shown worrying trends. At several of these junctions Mumbaikars are being exposed to over 100 decibels (dB), which can have serious implications on not only their hearing abilities but also their overall health. As per the Central Pollution Control Board, the normal decibel level in a residential area is 55 dB during daytime.

Anti-noise pollution crusader and Convenor of Awaaz Foundation Sumaira Abdulali recorded noise levels at 11 junctions on single day earlier this week and found out that the noise levels at six junctions were above 100dB while the rest were above 90dB, all way above the normal standard. The survey carried out during evening traffic hours also showed that at all these junction the consistent noise levels remained above 85dB.

"The highest noise levels were recorded exactly outside Mumbai Police Commissioner's office where the decibel meter showed the reading of 107.9dB, which was from a pressure horn of a motorcycle," informed Abdulali. She added that she has been consistently demanding that both Traffic police as well as Transport department jointly take action against pressure horns.

Meanwhile the other noisy junction where maximum noise levels recorded was over 100 db were Andheri SV road junction (104.2 dB), Bandra's Lucky hotel junction (103.7dB), Sion junction (101.5dB), JJ Hospital Junction (103.3dB) and Minara Masjid Junction (102.2dB).

Mumbai has the numero uno position in the noisiest cities of India. Abdulali states that traffic noise was the biggest contributor. "The continuous and excessive honking is a major source of traffic noise. An average Mumbaikar who lives, works or even stands for longer duration at one of these noisy junctions is being affected and unfortunately he might not even be aware of the impact," she said adding that hence Awaaz Foundation has been continuously taking up awareness campaigns against honking.

TWO WHEELERS THE CULPRIT?

During the noise mapping survey, Abdulali observed that at almost all the junctions barring a few, the maximum noise levels recorded came from a honking two-wheelers. As per studies, the number of two-wheelers on Mumbai's roads has reached up to 18 lakh which is also a big concern and a contibutor to the noise.

"Be it the 107.9dB, which was recorded outside Police Commissioner's office or the 103.7dB recorded at Lucky hotel junction at Bandra these came from honking motorcyclists. Also under the JJ flyover the maximum honking is by the two-wheeler riders," added Abdulali stating on most accounts, her survey has indicated that two-wheeler riders happen to be more often honking and also most of these are fitted with loud horns the transport and traffic department needs to target this group using both education and enforcement.

Transport experts claim that the number of two wheeler has grown exponentially in the city and unfortunately its the two wheeler riders who violate a majority of traffic rules too and in a bid to move ahead in traffic snarls they move from the sides honking incessantly.

In the same breath activists have been demanding a dedicated and a long term action plan against two-wheeler riders including frequent checking of the modified silencers and pressure horns installed.

Speaking to DNA, Manoj Saunik, Principal Secretary, State Transport Department agreed that excessive honking by two-wheelers was surely an area of concern. "We are looking at this entity keenly and more emphasis will be given to the two-wheeler riders during our anti-honking campaign drives," he said.

MAPPING AT BUSY JUNCTIONS

Anti-noise pollution activists have been demanding that Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MBCB) should not only carry out noise mapping at some of the busy junctions but also display it to help create a continuous and visible 'deterrence' in minds of people.

"We have proposed the idea of having these decibel meters installed at few junctions and the noise level readings be shown on LED boards in different colour codes so that people moving on the junctions are aware about what kind of noise levels are they being exposed and also this will help create a database of noise levels at different junctions at different points of time, which can help tackle it more scientifically,"Abdulali said adding that it will raise awareness in the same manner like air quality index.

HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

Kerala-based ENT surgeon Dr C John Panicker who is the National Convenor of National Initiative for Safe Sound (NISS) who has been one of the strongest voice advocating the need for medical professionals to raise awareness about noise pollution informs that noise pollution was the number one reason for permanent hearing loss as well as other health complications including heart-related ailments, stress, acidity and several other complications.

"Some of the horns produce sound between 100 to 120 decibels (dB) and continuous exposure to such high levels of noise is extremely harmful to people. There is urgent need for not only Traffic department but even the State Governments to start taking the noise pollution issue very seriously and develop ways to deal with this issue," he said.

Dr MV Jagade, ENT surgeon at the JJ hospital, who has also been working on creating awareness on the health implications of noise pollution shares that noise pollution can be blamed for everything from irritability to increasing blood pressure. "We are already seeing a rise in a number of people coming to us with hearing related issues. Studies have shown that if a person if exposed to a noise of above 80 decibels for eight hours a day for eight years, the person can suffer permanent deafness," said Dr Jagade