Sleepless in BTM: Noise levels hit 100db

Bengaluru: With traffic density in several parts of the city rising rapidly, air and noise pollutions have also correspondingly spiked. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) data on noise levels within the period April 2018- March 2019 reveal that areas falling under sensitive category and residential have to bear with decibel levels way above permissible limits.

NIMHANS, which falls under sensitive zone, had October and February as the noisiest month, while BTM Layout and Domlur residential areas had noise levels above permissible limits throughout the year.  

The permissible limit of the noise decibel in the sensitive zone is 50 dB, but in October 2018 and February 2019 the noise levels during the day time at NIMHANS were 104.5 dB and 104.2 dB.

While the noise level in the residential areas should be under 55 dB, in BTM Layout and Domlur its crossed 100 dB in October 2018.

Mahesh Kashyap, Consultant with the Public Health Foundation of India, said the data pointed out that vehicular noise and construction activities have increased the decibel levels.

“The increase is more in residential and sensitive areas than commercial and industrial areas. It looks like noise from vehicles or construction activities is causing more noise in these areas,” he said.

Industrial zones like Whitefield and Peenya, and commercial areas such as Church Street, Yeshwantpur and Marathahalli had noise levels within limits.

The data of S.G. Halli were within limits. Kashyap, however, pointed out that S.G. Halli is a forest area and not much of a residential zone as categorized by the KSPCB.

He suggested that noise monitoring device should moved to Siddapura police station.