There has been a 300 per cent increase in the number of vehicles in Bangalore over the last two years and there is no doubt that our cities are faced with poor management of transport systems. Coupled with the irresponsibility on the part of vehicle users, there is already an unsustainable increase in the levels of pollution in the air. The transport sector is a key contributor to green house gas emissions, with carbon emissions projected to increase by 80 per cent by 2030.
There is however, little attention paid to the increasing levels of noise pollution from traffic. And yet, noise pollution is a reality and an established cause for several health conditions such as deafness, loss of sleep and psychological well-being. According to WHO, exposure to noise — such as from traffic — is strongly associated with disease and premature death. A study from the UK in 2006 has concluded that one in three coronary heart diseases is linked to chronic noise exposure. The WHO has fixed 45 decibels as the safe and acceptable noise levels for a city. Metropolitan areas in India usually register a much higher average of over 90 decibels. Experts believe that continuous noise levels in excess of 90 decibels can cause loss of hearing and irreversible changes in nervous systems.
Owing to limited spaces in our cities, and improper planning there are no clear demarcations between our living, trading and travelling spaces. Hapless citizens are subjected to high-decibel assaults every waking hour and often beyond. Increased traffic movement and horn-happy road users together with the other activities associated with urbanisation, such as construction, contribute to intense noise pollution, which often insidiously impacts on their psyche and leads to poor health conditions.
Despite growing evidence and awareness amongst the medical profession and the fact that contributing to noise is actionable as a “public nuisance”, which is punishable under the Indian Penal Code as well as under Criminal Procedure Code there exists a real and complete apathy towards noise pollution.
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1939 empowers state governments to frame rules, regulate equipment and maintenance of motor vehicles and trailers. These include regulations to prevent noise pollution by such motor vehicles. The 1987 amendments to the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 regard noise as an air pollutant and give powers with regard to the prevention and control of noise pollution, which include the laying down of noise standards. The Supreme Court has banned the use of horns, loud music and bursting firecrackers after nightfall in residential areas through a ruling in 2005. While there are clear laws to address noise pollution, the problems arise while enforcing them and offenders get away with ease.
It is time for citizens of Bangalore to come together to monitor traffic noise in their areas. They must call for stringent action and ensure that noise makers are levied heavy penalties. Digitised noise maps and scientific measurements of noise levels that can monitor the physical and psychological health of people exposed to loud noise on a daily basis are urgently called for.
It is time for governments to recognise that increased levels of activity and traffic around the city cannot be confused with increased prosperity. But is anyone listening?
(The writer is director, SVARAJ, a Bangalore-based NGO)
