Wilson Gymkhana gets rid of floodlights

Mumbai: The Wilson gymkhana has finally removed all floodlights on its premises after residents in the area repeatedly complained about the excessive light emitting from the ground.

Citizens and activists had been raising concerns over the issue of light pollution at the site, which has also caused disturbance among the residents during late hours. The district collector had issued directions to the Wilson gymkhana to shut the lights, which had been set up without permission.

Light pollution is caused by high-intensity artificial lighting more than what is required. It could lead to hormonal changes, sleep disturbance, irritability and disorientation among other adverse effects.

In February, the Mumbai collector sent a show cause notice to the Wilson gymkhana to remove the floodlights permanently, stating that they had been set up illegally.

“The lights were set up without any permission. Earlier, the gymkhana used to keep them on during late night hours; the bright lights would disturb residents here. We are glad that now the light poles have been removed,” said Nilesh Desai, a resident of the area.

The Asian Age had earlier reported in January 2018 that NGO Awaaz Foundation along with Nilesh Desai measured light levels in the unit of lux, facing the installed lights and on the seaward side of Marine Drive.

While the light level recorded at Wilson gymkhana was 84,800 lux, there was an appallingly huge difference when facing the light, and in the surrounding areas.

The ambient light levels at Marine Drive were recorded as 21,000 lux. The NGO asserted that such huge difference could disorient citizens while driving and cause light disturbance and consequently, adversely affect the health of residents of buildings in the vicinity. Last year, the gymkhana was directed not to hold any events post 10 pm and change the direction of the floodlights.

“We need to have a detailed policy on light pollution for areas of Mumbai. I keep getting complaints from various residents that large bright lights from residential societies, billboards on roads and open grounds disturb them as they flash in their homes during sleeping hours. We hope that the state government comes up with guidelines about setting the lights in every area in such a way where details about their intensity, direction, and gaps between the light poles are provided,” said Sumaira Abdulali, foun-der, Awaaz Foundation.