Hyderabad: Even as the Election Commission of India regulated the use of loudspeakers and DJs for political campaigns by parties, sound levels in Hyderabad remained well past the permissible levels, according to the pollution control authorities.
While the permissible sound level in the day is 65 deciBels (dB), the city has consistently clocked sound levels of at least 70-75 dB during the past month. The night-time permissible limit of 55dB was also breached multiple times, it was revealed.
As residents raise health concerns, especially for elders, infants and those with heart ailments, officials of the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) revealed that there was no inspection done during the campaigns.
TSPCB officials said that when they receive a complaint, they measure the sound level in that particular area, but clarified that the police remained the enforcement agency in cases of sound pollution. They said that the police have the responsibility to also check sound pollution at the ground level.
Dr W.G. Prasanna Kumar, senior social scientist with the TSPCB, said: “Hyderabad is a noise-polluted city, as it crossed the regular standard mark of 65 dB maximum during the day, having between 70 and 75 dB in the day. Even at night, the standard mark of 55 dB was crossed each night. There is a need to bring down the noise pollution by increasing e-vehicles and sensitising political parties to avoid loudspeakers.”
The police, when contacted, said that no political party was booked for noise pollution.
Dr K.R. Meghnath, of MAA ENT Hospitals, said: “Sound should not cross 60 dB. When there are loud sounds in residential areas, people are prone to psychological issues. Use of loudspeakers for special occasions, such as campaigning, must be avoided.”
