An average Amdavadi experiences 70 to 80 decibels (dB) of noise against the acceptable levels of 55 to 65 dB. This data, published by The Times of India last year, may not be unfounded.
A recent study titled ‘Temporal Assessment of Noise Pollution in Major Intersection of Ahmedabad City of Gujarat’ published in the Journal of Propulsion Technology revealed that all the seven crossroads they studied for noise levels were higher than permissible.
Understandably, Amdavadi’s have run out of patience. Now, the city police are determined to take stringent action on noise polluters after numerous complaints and directives from the Green Tribunal.
The offenders include DJs and those honking recklessly, using loud speakers and bursting firecrackers. Specially trained personnel will be seen with sound meters in designated areas.
According to a report published in The Ahmedabad Mirror, the police are now armed with 53 digital sound level meters to tackle noise pollution more efficiently.
DCP Control Komal Vyas told the tabloid that more than 250 police officers have been trained to use these meters, following the norms set by the Green Tribunal.
“Each of the 44 police stations will receive one sound meter. Additionally, all zone DCP offices and the Police Control Room (PCR) will be equipped with these meters. With more complaints received on the PCR number 100, the need for sound meters was evident. Although we were already addressing noise pollution cases, the availability of sound meters will now enable us to handle more cases,” he told the daily.
DGP (Police Modernisation) Khursheed Ahmed said that in the past 35 sound measuring meters were distributed across various police stations in Gujarat. “However, in line with the Green Tribunal’s sound pollution norms, we’ve now added another 53 meters for Ahmedabad police. We’re also in the process of acquiring an additional 125 meters to ensure strict adherence to these norms,” Ahmed told Ahmedabad Mirror.
For the unversed, the permissible decibel level is capped at 55 DB (A) during the day (6 AM to 10 PM) and 45 at night (10 PM to 6 AM) in residential areas.
The limits are set at 65 decibels during the day and 55 at night in commercial zones. Silent zones—areas around hospitals and schools—can’t exceed 50 decibels during the day and 50 at night. The report added that industrial areas have a limit of 75 decibels during the day and 70 at night.
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