Pune: For the first time in the 21st century, this year, the lowest level of noise pollution was recorded during the immersion procession of Ganpati mandals during Ganeshotsav. This has been revealed in a survey conducted by a team of the College of Engineering Pune (COEP). The average noise level in the ten intersections on Lakshmi road on the immersion procession route was 59.8 decibels.

This is the result of the precautions taken by the citizens including Ganesh mandals against the backdrop of Covid-19 outbreak. Last year, 86.2 decibels of noise level was recorded due to reduced use of loudspeakers in immersion processions of Ganpati mandals.

The lowest level of noise pollution ever recorded was due to the cancellation of the immersion procession on September 1 – the last day of Ganeshotsav – this year. The lowest noise level was recorded at 55.5 decibels at Ganpati Chowk on Lakshmi Road and the highest at 63.4 decibels at Khandoji Baba Chowk.

Under the guidance of Dr Mahesh Shindikar, Professor from College of Engineering Pune, the survey was conducted by Padmesh Kulkarni, Vineet Pawar, Nagesh Pawar, Shubham Alte, Rudresh Hegu, Balaji Navande and Bhagwat Biradar.

THIS YEAR’S UNIQUENESS

• Most of the Ganesh mandals immersed their Ganesh idosl in the nearby tank

• Decreased noise pollution due to lack of cultural events, tableaux and crowds

• Noise levels were recorded on the day of immersion, lower than in industrial areas (65 decibels during the day and 55 decibels at night).

NOISE LEVEL MEASUREMENT

• Site surveys done chronologically and scientifically

• Review of noise level on Lakshmi Road in 24 hours and at 10 intersections

• Survey records for the last 18 years

Dr Mahesh Shindikar, Professor, Department of Applied Science of College of Engineering Pune said, “The positive impact on the immersion procession on the last day of Ganeshotsav against the backdrop of Covid-19 can be seen from this year’s sound level. The dhol-tasha bands and Ganesh mandals need to take initiative next year too to control the noise pollution levels.”