HYDERABAD: Noise pollution levels in Hyderabad city have been on an alarming rise from 2019 to 2022, according to the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).
According to environmentalist D. Narsimha Reddy, “The first factor contributing to noise pollution is that we do not have equipment and manufacturing standards to curb noise levels. Another factor is the lack of zonal and urban planning such as school zone, hospital zone etc.”
“If schools or hospitals are located in commercial areas, it is impossible to follow the norms. Urban planning must consider various zonal planning, keeping in mind zones such as commercial, residential or sensitive zones, which are otherwise ignored and hence the law cannot be implemented.” Narasimha Reddy added.
Interestingly, data for June was not available on the TSPCB website. Responding to this, TSPCB officials told Deccan Chronicle, “There is a delay in uploading the updated data as two stations are not working. The stations are under CPBC. We are unable to comprehend if it is due to system fault or connectivity issue.”
There are a number of reasons contributing to the noise pollution in the city such as vehicles, construction activities, multi-toned horns by vehicles.
UnSound pollution
What is allowed
Area Day Night
Residential 55 45
Industrial 75 70
Commercial 65 55
Sensitive 50 45
What is recorded
Residential
Jubilee Hills 58.75 57.39
Tarnaka 52.30 59.96
Commercial
Abids 72.13 71.60
JNTU 69.90 68.21
Paradise 71.38 70.85.
Industrial
Sanathnagar 68.20 65.01
Jeedimetla 68.98 71.35
Gaddapotharam 70.30 71.48.
Sensitive area
Zoo Park 60.84 59.89
Gachibowli 63.82 60.83
*All units in decibels (dB)
