Bhopal: Some city residents now are finding themselves torn between having access to fresh air and to avoid having sound pollution and urban noise at their doorstep. Many are now turning to soundproofing houses, windows and doors to create quieter living environments, at the cost of limiting fresh air.
Himanshu Joshi, former president of Shahpura residents' welfare association, highlights a key detail regarding new homes and windows.He observes that the type of window used is a straightforward indicator.
Aluminum windows with 90% aluminum frames are prevalent, limiting fresh air. "From 60 metres away from a passing mobile DJ van, we can feel the vibration and sound, despite sound proofing interventions," he said. He cites in most cases, owing to sound proofing sanctioned electrical load for some homes has increased from 3.5 kW to 10 kW, some accommodating up to six ACs.
Homes that once relied on openness and a sense of community now prioritize security and quiet amidst urban noise, explained Santosh Agarwal, a businessman whose family has been living in Chowk area for four generations now.
Old homes in Bhopal often featured wooden doors that could not accommodate locks, as we have these days. To enter, a visitor would knock and seek permission and enter. The door could be opened from the outside by lifting the wooden latch or pulling a cotton string attached to an iron latch on the inside, explained Agarwal who is 78. "Peer Sahab's home still has entrances with just a Kunda (latch)," he added with a sense of pride.
The cotton string though lost its sense of secure entry after Bhopal's first communal flareup in 1992, paving the way for aluminum gates and door bells. And with sound pollution now, the times are changing for people's doors and windows. New Market resident, Ajay invested nearly a lakh into 4mm thickness sound proofing. "Reduced air circulation aside, natural light is also a major downside from installing sound proofing protection," he added.
Bhopal: Some city residents now are finding themselves torn between having access to fresh air and to avoid having sound pollution and urban noise at their doorstep. Many are now turning to soundproofing houses, windows and doors to create quieter living environments, at the cost of limiting fresh air.
Himanshu Joshi, former president of Shahpura residents' welfare association, highlights a key detail regarding new homes and windows. He observes that the type of window used is a straightforward indicator.
Aluminum windows with 90% aluminum frames are prevalent, limiting fresh air. "From 60 metres away from a passing mobile DJ van, we can feel the vibration and sound, despite sound proofing interventions," he said. He cites in most cases, owing to sound proofing sanctioned electrical load for some homes has increased from 3.5 kW to 10 kW, some accommodating up to six ACs.
Homes that once relied on openness and a sense of community now prioritize security and quiet amidst urban noise, explained Santosh Agarwal, a businessman whose family has been living in Chowk area for four generations now.
Old homes in Bhopal often featured wooden doors that could not accommodate locks, as we have these days. To enter, a visitor would knock and seek permission and enter. The door could be opened from the outside by lifting the wooden latch or pulling a cotton string attached to an iron latch on the inside, explained Agarwal who is 78. "Peer Sahab's home still has entrances with just a Kunda (latch)," he added with a sense of pride.
The cotton string though lost its sense of secure entry after Bhopal's first communal flareup in 1992, paving the way for aluminum gates and door bells. And with sound pollution now, the times are changing for people's doors and windows. New Market resident, Ajay invested nearly a lakh into 4mm thickness sound proofing. "Reduced air circulation aside, natural light is also a major downside from installing sound proofing protection," he added.