Hyderabad: Noise pollution levels in the city are found to be way beyond the prescribed decibel limits in the city leading to ailments. However, controlling the noise pollution is utterly neglected with zero enforcement.
The State Pollution Control Board’s job is confined to examination and monitoring the noise levels under the ‘The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules issued in the year 2000.’ The enforcement part is the job of the traffic police and municipal body.
“While cops are happy to fine cars for all kinds of offences, from no parking to making an illegal U-turn, little or no action is taken when it comes to honking near a hospital premises. The traffic police, who are expected to monitor the noise levels are not even equipped with equipment such as noise meters, nor are they trained in measuring noise levels,” said a source with TS PCB. But, as is clearly evident, controlling the daily noise is not being touched upon.
Civic bodies like GHMC and HMDA which have to earmark schools, hospitals and courts as ‘Silence Zones’ and take measures for abatement of noise , have done little.
“Prolonged exposure to loud noise causes an increase in stress and anxiety. Many complain of sleep disorder and irritability after being exposed to continuous traffic noise. In children, it can also damage the ear drums and brain,” said Dr A. Vamshidhra, a medical expert.
