BMC to map noise levels in city, floats tenders

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has again floated tenders to rope in consultant to map noise levels across the city. Apart from measuring noise levels, the consultant will also have to suggest ways to minimise noise pollution. The civic body wanted to undertake the project last year itself. However, it could not materialise as no agency came forward.

According to the tender, the BMC will map sound levels across 1,200 locations, an average of 50 places across 24 wards. The number of locations per ward may vary depending upon business and size of area it covers though, official said.

The project is expected to be implemented over a period of 12 months and will cost BMC nearly Rs57 lakh. As per to the existing norms, the decibel limits permitted during day are up to 55 decibel, while it is 45 dB at night. The norms, however, are often found to be defied.

While the actual spots where the mapping will be carried out are yet to be identified, BMC has planned to map noise on the premises of courts, government and corporate offices, major hospitals, schools, colleges, religious and recreational places, markets, malls, traffic junctions, chowks, etc.

"The data will serve as a strategic planning and noise reduction tool and thereby, benefit a large segment of population in terms of their overall health and well being," a senior civic official said, wishing anonymity.

In order to cover more number of locations than what is planned now, the BMC will carry out mapping at different areas for a certain period. To get a true picture of the noise levels, the consultants will be required to take readings at different hours of the day as well as during weekends. Under the plan, the consultants will be required to take at least 1,000 readings at each location.

"The noise levels are dynamic at any given place and time. So, the consultants will have to carry out extensive analysis and find out percentage that exceeded the noise level standards for respective location. Besides, we will figure out ways to bring down noise either at the level of source or prominent recipient," he added.