According to Sumaira Abdulali, Convenor, Awaaz Foundation, these high intensity LED lights facing the road along Marine Drive are potentially dangerous to traffic as they can cause temporary blinding
To take their demand for a policy on urban lighting further, Awaaz Foundation along with Nilesh Desai, a resident of south Mumbai who has lodged several complaints against light pollution, measured the light levels of the high intensity LED lights installed at two gymkhanas along Marine Drive on Thursday night.
According to Sumaira Abdulali, Convenor, Awaaz Foundation, these high intensity LED lights facing the road along Marine Drive are potentially dangerous to traffic as they can cause temporary blinding. "The lights also intrude into homes, cause sleep disruption and consequent health effects on residents in the area," said Abdulali.
The Lux meter, an instrument to measure the intensity of light, facing the light source at Wilson Gymkhana and Police Gymkhana recorded readings of 84,800 lux and 14,100 lux respectively. Meanwhile, the street lights at Marine Drive seaward side recorded 2,100 lux.
"Our readings show a sharp difference in light intensity. It highlights the need for standard lighting at a gymkhana or any other public area, ensuring it does not disturb people living in the vicinity," said Abdulali who plans to send the readings to civic chief Ajoy Mehta, and added that the readings will help concerned authorities to take up the matter just like noise pollution. "We have been urging BMC and the environment department to consider framing a policy to regulate light pollution in Mumbai from various sources," she said.
Desai, who lives in Chira Bazaar, got the Collector's office to send a circular to Wilson Gymkhana to shut the LED lights at 10 pm. "Our houses face these gymkhanas so we are worst hit. We can't even sleep as these floodlights are so powerful, it feels like daylight. We are waiting for the Collector's office to send a circular to all the gymkhanas and a permanent solution must be provided," said Desai.
A senior BMC official said, "We are receiving regular complaints about the gymkhanas and high mast lights across the city but with no clear guidelines it's difficult to act against anybody. There is no doubt that a policy is required."
NIGHT OR DAY
- 84,800 lux
Wilson Gymkhana
- 14,100 lux
Police Gymkhana
- 2,100 lux
Street lights at Marine Drive
- 64k-120k lux
Direct sunlight
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