Sans DJs, Mumbai records dip in Ganesh visarjan noise pollution

Noise levels recorded during visarjan processions on Sunday were marginally lesser compared to those recorded on the same day in the past two years. It, however, remained way above the limit set by the government (around 50 dB). Maximum noise level was recorded in Santacruz at 113.9 decibel. The highest recorded in 2017 was 119.8 dB and 116.4 dB in 2016. The marginal dip was attributed to the absence of DJs and massive loudspeakers.

The sound of drums and banjos amplified by loudspeakers resulted in the high noise levels, noted Sanjay Salunke of the Avaaz Foundation, an NGO campaigning for a noise-free city.

The vicinity of Juhu saw high noise levels with 107.7 dB being recorded opposite SNDT University and 100.5 dB at Manglewadi. The Sion-Matunga belt was equally noisy with 108.2 dB recorded at Sion Circle, 107 dB at Sion Koliwada, and 110 dB near Matunga's Shobha Hotel.

In Worli, 109.6 dB was recorded near Atria Mall and 107 dB at the Love Grove Junction. Surprisingly, noise levels near Girgaum Chowpatty, where most large mandals immersed their idols, recorded lower noise levels (close to 94 dB).

Two days prior to visarjan processions, the High Court had refused to grant interim relief to DJs and dolby sound systems, which helped keeping the noise levels down on Sunday. In the lanes of Girgaum, no mandal was found using DJs and most resorted to employing dhol-tasha pathaks, banjo bands and kachhi baja in the processions.

"This year, the noise level was considerably low, and even my building's Ganpati procession took place without DJs for the first time in many years. I usually suffer from migraine attacks from the noise, which was not so bad this year," said Yogita Kamerkar, a resident of Khetwadi in Girgaum.

Meanwhile, activists remained skeptical, as the police weren't found taking action against defaulters. Though the mandals didn't use large sound systems, water stalls set up by political parties along the procession route resorted used loudspeakers, and police remained mute spectators just measuring the noise on their devices. After midnight, even dhols weren't allowed and most mandals complied, barring those affiliated with political parties.

"We have a long way to go. Until noise amplification of any kind is banned there won't be much change. However, awareness about the ill-effects of noise from loudspeakers is increasing," said Sumaira Abdulali, Founder, Avaaz Foundation.

Highest noise level recorded in the neighbouring Thane city was lower than Santa Cruz, at 100 dB near Gokhale Road and Ram Maruti Road. Though the number of DJs fell by 40 per cent in the area, the number of orchestra, banjo bands and dhol-tasha pathaks rose considerably, noted Dr Mahesh Bedekar, a Thane-based anti-noise petitioner.