Hyderabad: Police finally listens, acts on noise polluters

Hyderabad: Sound pollution is known to cause loss of hearing, irritation, hypertension, high stress and even sleep disturbance, but there seems to be no way to cap it. Among the main polluters are vehicles, which also contribute to air pollution with their noxious fumes.

Within the first eight months of this year, Hyderabad traffic police has booked more cases for smoke and sound pollution against vehicles than they have done in all of last year.

Police officials say that in the last two months alone, they have booked around 4,000 cases for smoke pollution, 1,000 against noise pollution and 10,000 cases against unauthorised parking, these being the main reasons for the alarming sound and air pollution in Hyderabad.

During physical checks, all vehicles are checked for having valid ‘pollution under control’ certificate. Those who do not have them, or those who have date-expired PuC certificates, were booked. Regular PuC checks indicate if the engine is emitting more smoke and needs tuning to cut down on exhaust gases.

Police has already booked 8,570 cases against smoke pollution in eight months when compared to 7,923 cases in all of last year. Up to June of this year, enforcement agencies had booked 4,177 cases and another 4,000 cases in just three months.

It is the same in the case of noise pollution where 2,149 cases were booked in eight months of this year when compared to 1,178 cases last year. The number of cases has already doubled.

Right now, there are no prescribed checks for noise pollution.

Another major violation which can increase pollution is unauthorised parking, as this disrupts the flow of traffic and forces vehicles to move slowly. Motorists have to frequently apply brakes, which results in more emission of exhaust gases from the vehicles.

Police has concentrated on this violation too. Last year, they booked 5,02,716 cases and this year till August, has booked 3,57,783. Efforts are made to prevent parking of vehicles in non-designated areas.

Additional commissioner of police, traffic, Anil Kumar said, “We have procured four sound level meters to scientifically measure the level of noise from the vehicle. We will book cases against motorists whose vehicles emit more noise.” Sound meters are being used in Saifabad, SR Nagar, Banjara Hills and Mahankali traffic police stations areas.

Mr Anil Kumar added that special drives are conducted on a regular basis. Special teams were formed in all 25 traffic police stations in the Hyderabad commissionerate for enforcement against sound and air pollution. Traffic police is conducting surprise checks during non-peak hours and booking cases against violators.

All stakeholders are conducting review meetings every month to access the progress of enforcement and curbing violations, Mr Anil Kumar said.

Recently Hyderabad police commissioner Anjani Kumar started a ‘stop honking’ campaign to encourage drivers not to use the horn, one of the most irritating sounds on the road and cause of sound pollution. Mr Anjani Kumar said, “The intention is to create awareness and not to book cases. The city is an international business destination. With the city developing at a fast pace, we want it to become noise pollution free and sought the support of youngsters.”