Mumbai: Peak hours during the day and the evening are the noisiest periods in Mumbai, according to a city noise mapping report by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).
The study was conducted by recording noise levels while using cycles across 1,500 locations in Mumbai. The aggregate of overall noise level during peak hours was found to be 89 decibels (dB), which was more than the aggregate of ambient noise level during working days (6 am to 10 pm). The study highlights the need to reduce noise pollution from transport, which includes vehicular noise and unnecessary honking.
The report was recently submitted in the Bombay high court, along with noise mapping done in 27 cities through continuous noise monitoring stations. “Real time mapping” of noise levels was carried out during traffic peak hours, mainly 9 am to 11 am and 6 pm to 8.30 pm. At each location, noise levels were recorded for five minutes with an interval of one second, leading to around 300 readings each. While most of the areas in south Mumbai recorded comparatively lower decibel levels between 60 and 80, some areas of Colaba recorded decibel levels up to 100 dB. The same was seen at a few locations in Borivali and Chembur.
Dr Ritesh Vijay, principal scientist, NEERI, said, “The aggregate of noise levels we found during peak hours is very harmful in terms of health issues. Mumbai remains among the top cities to record higher noise levels during peak hours. Though it is bound to happen given the metropolitan city it is, we have to look at ways of curbing honking and traffic congestion.”
Apart from controlling vehicular noise and honking, NEERI has also highlighted the need to curb noise pollution from the railway, construction sites, processions and functions. NEERI has stressed the importance of controlling noise pollution by way of architectural design, orientation of buildings, sound proofing and noise absorbing material for commercial and residential structures, traffic management and driver behaviour.
