Ulhasnagar beats Mumbai in noise levels on weekend nights

MUMBAI: Ulhasnagar has beaten Mumbai when it comes to noisier nights over the weekend. Though Mumbai and Pune too figure on the top of the chart, extended suburbs like Ulhasnagar, Mira Bhayander and Kalyan-Dombivli have higher noise levels, between 85 to 90 dB, according to a report by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) that has mapped 27 cities across the state.
During daytime on a weekday too, Ulhasnagar was found to be the noisiest, with maximum noise at 91.4 dB while the minimum was at Dhule at 72 dB. The permitted noise level in a residential area during day is 55dB and at night is 45dB.

The central research agency was appointed by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board to map noise levels in 27 cities of the state following an HC order in August 2016 on a clutch PILs on noise. The NEERI report was submitted to the Bombay HC on Tuesday. A bench of Justices Abhay Oka and Riyaz Chagla is examining compliances to the 2016 judgment.

In its report, NEERI has identified noise from vehicular honking as a major source of noise in cities. “Though the rules restrict unwanted honking, it still persists. This source of noise reduction needs many technical, policy and regulatory innovations,” it states.

The report has made several recommendations to reduce noise pollution like developing a system or device that links noise of a vehicle to its speed. “The work is already being carried out at IIT-Bombay. This is required as, mostly, honking is highly prevalent at traffic junctions,” it informs. It also suggests installing ‘Noise ATMs’ in vehicles to limit the number of times a motorists honks. “Movement of vehicle without silencers such as bikes/modified bikes/cars should be regulated during day and night,’’ it adds. The report also says ambulances should use sirens judiciously. “Instead of siren, red light beam or laser beam of a particular colour may be used for emergency.”

The noise mapping was conducted during day (6am-10pm) and night (10pm-6am) on working and non-working days. The exhaustive report calls for innovation to identify honkers and penalise them. Town-planners should provide sufficient openings at the entry and exit of bridges to avoid sharp influx of traffic into the path to reduce the chances of honking and collusion, suggests the report.

It also states that while constructing houses, architectural features such as fins and balconies can help reduce impact of traffic noise. NEERI suggests buildings should be oriented in a way that less noise-sensitive rooms like kitchen, bathroom and storeroom are located towards the road while living rooms and bedrooms be located on the other side.

It further recommends use of noise absorbing materials like acoustic tile, carpets and drapes. “Sound-proofing the apartment along with the use of screens and installations can go a long way in reducing the effective noise pollution,” it added.

“What do you propose to do on the basis of the report?” asked Justice Oka, adding that noise-mapping was “crucial part of directions in the main (August 2016) judgment... Government will have to consider it.”