Sounding off on noise pollution, absence of sound barriers on flyovers raises levels to 85dB
The move to augment infrastructure in the Capital to ease traffic clogging has apparently been affecting the health of its residents. With the number of flyovers coming into existence in the last couple of years, noise pollution has radically gone up by leaps and bounds paving way for sleepless nights for Delhiites.
According to the report by Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), noise pollution in the city, particularly near flyovers, has drastically increased by 50 per cent recently. The study clearly indicates that the growing number of flyovers is the main reason behind such surge in pollution. The reports also stated that in residential areas, where noise according to Environment Protection Rules,1986, are supposed to be around 55 decibels (dB) during day and 45dB at night, it has significantly gone up to 85dB during the day and 75dB at night.
The level and intensity of noise pollution recorded by CRRI in all busy seven flyovers of Delhi are: Moolchand flyover 81dB, Shahdara-Badarpur border flyover 83dB, Ashram Chowk flyover 83dB, and Tagore Garden flyover 75dB, Janak Setu flyover 81dB, Madhuban Chowk 77dB, IIT Delhi flyover 79dB, lajpat Nagar 82dB, Patel Nagar-Shadipur flyover 79dB, making it no different than Mumbai’s Ambedkar Nagar Road-JJ flyover, which is the busiest flyover in India. level of noise pollution at the flyover in Mumbai is 90dB.
“The primary reason of the increased pollutions in the city is the open spaces provided by flyovers. This has increased the diameter of noise. On the contrary, when the noises generated by the vehicles moving on the roads hit buses, houses, trees, roads and get reflected or absorbed, the intensity of noise gets predominately reduced,” said a researcher of CRRI associated with the study.
In view of the situation, experts have suggested two alternatives to reduce the pollution, one with the help of noise barriers and micro- surfacing roads, which can reduce noise from 4dB to 6dB.
Director of Sound and Vibration Institute, a private institute involved in road research, Hina Akthar said, “The Government should always conduct noise mapping before constructing any flyover or industry to exactly know what would the level of noise and its impact on residents and commuters. If we see the construction policies of US, UK and other developed countries, they first map to make sure that residential areas are left out from flyovers.”
“The impact of noise pollution was up to fourth floor at any traffic intersection but after building robust flyovers it has reached to seventh floor, escalating the range and impact of noise to 150 feet,” she added.
Sound policyIJ
In order to reduce noise pollution, Central Pollution Control Board constituted a committee, which recommended noise standards for ambient air and for automobiles, domestic appliances and construction equipment, which were later notified in Environment Protection Rules, 1986. The standards recommended by the committee for variant fields were (A) Industrial areas 75dB in day and 70dB at night, (B) Commercial areas 65dB in day and 55dB at night, (C) Residential areas 55dB in day and 45dB at night, (D) Silence zones 50dB in day and 40dB at night.
Deafening Delhi
The level and intensity of noise pollution recorded by CRRI in all busy seven flyovers of Delhi are:
Moolchand flyover 81dB
Shahdara-Badarpur border flyover 83dB
Ashram Chowk flyover 83dB
Tagore Garden flyover 75dB
Janak Setu flyover 81dB
Madhuban Chowk 77dB
IIT Delhi flyover 79dB
lajpat Nagar 82dB
Patel Nagar-Shadipur flyover 79dB
Micro-surfacing Roads