Noise Pollution: India
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The state-wise position
Delhi
The Times of India, June 9, 2016
Noise pollution is a killer too
The busy ITO junction in Delhi registers around 74 decibel (dB) of sound on a typical day , almost 10db over the limit for commercial areas. The level near Acworth Hospital in Mumbai's Wadala is usually 70dB, almost 20dB more than what's permitted in such a zone. Noise pollution is now linked to many ailments from irreversible hearing loss to anxiety attacks to hypertension and heart disease. Considering that every 10dB increase makes the sound twice as loud to the human ear, the health implications for a regular commuter are serious. The situation is so bad in cities that ENT specialists now say a 20dB loss in hearing among urbanites is “normal“.
That's the impact of the constant onslaught of noise on our ears, say experts.It's a subject on which there is limited research and little understanding.
“People don't realise that noise is the hidden enemy of man. It affects your en tire body , said Dr Yeshwant Oke, who brought noise pollution into the public consciousness when he filed the first noise pollution-related petition in the Bombay courts in 1985.
Sumaira Abdulali of Awaz Foundation echoes a similar sentiment: “People will adjust to living next to a railway station despite the disturbance caused by loud announcements and honking. Loud music is one of the leading cause of police complaints the world over, including India, but we never think too much about the harm of constant honking by cars on the roads just outside their house. Clearly , the main sources of noise in the main urban centres are vehicles,
Loudspeakers for religion, social events
Triyadan: Silent prayers
Nazar Abbas, Temples and mosques go mute in Rampur, June 4, 2017: The Times of India
In show of communal amity , Hindus agreed to remove loudspeaker from temples and Muslims from mosques in a restive Moradabad village. According to police officials, tension was simmering in the village for the past three years over loudspeakers at temples and mosques.
Circle officer (rural) Chakramani Tripathi said, “Police and district administration of Moradabad are full of praise for the initiative taken by the elders of both the communities who amicably resolved the issue in the holy month of Ramzan.“
Triyadan village under the jurisdiction of Bhagatapur police station here has been in news for recurring communal violence over the use of loudspeakers on places of worship of both the communities .
2018: HC makes UP ban illegal loudspeakers, even at religious places
After receiving flak from the Allahabad high court over noise pollution in Uttar Pradesh, the state government issued detailed directives on Sunday to all district administrations over use of permanently installed loudspeakers at public places.
According to the circular issued to all 75 district magistrates in the state, the local administrations will identify religious structures/places and public areas in their respective districts where unauthorised loudspeakers are being used, and serve notices to the owner/manager/trustee of such places. If they failed to obtain permission for the usage of loudspeakers under the permissible limit then police and local administration have to ensure they are removed by January 20.
The directive is also applicable for loudspeakers being used in public places, marriage processions, protests, parades or similar kind.
The HC had on December 20, 2017 sought to know what action had been taken against such illegal installations and also against the officers who failed to ensure that rules were followed.
Noise Pollution and India
Sources and damage caused; Indian rules/ 2018
See graphic:
Noise Pollution and India: The sources and damage caused
Indian rules/ 2018