‘Decibel level during festival is only increasing every year’

Noise has been recognised as an ambient air pollutant and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has been monitoring noise pollution in various cities during the Ganesh festival. According to rules,the permissible noise level during day is 50dB in silence zones and 55dB in residential areas.

In the last three years,decibel levels registered both by the MPCB and the Pune Municipal Corporation show the levels were the highest on the day of the immersion. While the initial days of the festival saw noise levels within the range of 55-60 decibels.

Mangesh Dighe,PMC environment officer,admitted that the levels have gone up in the last few years with variation in some areas. For instance,the average noise level at Alka Theatre Chowk,Babu Genu Chowk and City Post Chowk on the day of the procession is usually in the range of 90-97 decibels. “We have observed that every year there is a rise of 5-6 decibels,” said Dighe. The PMC this year is emphasising on an eco-friendly Ganesh idol and will also take up the issue of noise pollution,Dighe said.

Noise levels do exceed the permissible limit during each Ganesh Festival,says Anil Mohekar,regional officer,MPCB,western region. This year too monitoring of noise and decibel levels will be done at selected 15-20 spots in the city and the work will be outsourced to Ashwamedh Agency.

The noise levels are fairly low during day which rise during evening hours. “Residents who stay around Ganesh mandals are affected the most. Another group that is also largely affected is that of traffic cops on duty,” said Dr Gauri Belsare,president of ENT Surgeons’ Association.

“Noise pollution can refer to the continuous exposure to noise for a long period of time or an acoustic accident where there is sudden exposure to a fire cracker,gun shot or a loudspeaker,” said Belsare. Dr Bharati Dhore Patil,president,IMA,Pune branch,said,“We have planned a study to reassess this year’s situation.”