Noise, air pollution exceed limit in Delhi, says Anil Dave

New Delhi: Delhi is among the seven cities in the country where the average level of noise pollution generally exceeds the permissible limit. The levels of noise pollution and particulate matters exceed permissible limits in most locations in Delhi where nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels too cross the permissible threshold in some locations.

The other cities include metropolitans like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. The information was brought to light by environment minister Anil Dave on Monday in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

“The air quality data for the period 2014-16 for Delhi and NCR does not show day-to-day continuous increase in the level of air pollution and significant fluctuations are noted,” the written reply said.

It added that the values of SO2 (sulphur dioxide) are within permissible limits for all locations monitored.

In respect of NO2 (nitrogen dioxide), Alwar, Ghaziabad and Noida are within permissible limits, though the “values exceed the permissible limits at some locations in Delhi”, the minister said.

“With respect to PM 10, the air quality data shows significant fluctuations, though the values exceed permissible limits,” he said.

“Noise pollution, though exceedence is observed at nearly all locations, there has not been any sharp increase on a day-to-day basis.”

The minister also said that the Central Pollution Control Board, in association with its counterparts in every state, carries out monitoring of noise pollution in seven metropolitan cities — Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Lucknow and Hyderabad.

This is done through a network of 70 noise-monitoring stations under National Ambient Noise Monitoring Programme.

“The data from these monitoring stations indicate that average noise pollution levels generally exceed the permissible limits. The data includes noise due to horns of vehicles,” Mr Dave said.

The noise standards for motor vehicles, air conditioners, refrigerators, generator sets and certain types of construction equipment are prescribed in the Schedules of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the minister said.

He said pressure horns (sirens and multi-tone horns) are banned except for police van, ambulance and fire brigades under provisions of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

Measures taken to reduce noise pollution in metropolitan cities include advisories for noise monitoring on the occasion of Deepawali, prohibition of the use of fireworks between 10 PM and 6 AM, awareness programme to avoid bursting of firecrackers and issuance of directions under relevant sections of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.