Hyderabad: City screams louder; poses threat to public health

HYDERABAD: Lack of proper enforcement of various norms to control the noise pollution, the state capital appears to be blaring with high decibel sounds. Going by the records of the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB), the prescribed norms for noise pollution are 55 decibels and 45 decibels, during the day and the night respectively.

The city, as it seems, has been louder than the prescribed norms, the loudest being Paradise Circle where the noise levels are no less than 70 decibels during the day.

The readings that were procured from the pollution control authorities from September 1 to September 7, show that there has been no respite for sound levels even during the night time. “Usually, whenever there is a festival coming up, people tend to put up loud speakers around pandals. These speakers sometimes go on till late at night giving out religious sermons or bhajans. That is why noise levels must have risen at night as well,” an official of TSPCB told this newspaper.

While it has been established through various studies and medical professionals that noise pollution is a known destroyer of a healthy lifestyle, the lack of enforcement in this matter is a matter of grave concern, say experts.

“Homes are no longer being treated as residential areas, as they are used for commercial activities as well, albeit smaller ones. Because of this transformation, there is a considerable rise in the number of vehicles that enter the area and create noise pollution,” said environmental scientist A.K. Sinha.