Elaborate network of noise level monitoring by next Diwali

Being implemented by Central Pollution Control Board, the main purpose of the project is to control increasing ambient noise levels in public places, particularly in cities and towns across the country.

"We will have the system ready before next Diwali. It will provide us real time data about noise pollution in any part of the country," CPCB chairman S P Gautam told PTI.
He said the data to be generated will help local authorities in taking steps to bring down noise levels from various sources including noise-emitting firecrackers, construction activities, generator sets, loud speakers, public address systems, music systems, vehicular horns and other mechanical devices.

"We are setting up 160 noise monitoring stations across the country as part of the projects. The data on noise pollution will be made available online," Gautam said.
Currently, very few Indian cities have proper facilities to monitor noise level.
"It will be a national-level network. So data to be generated by the system for any area of the country will be available centrally," he said.

According to him, rising noise levels in cities and towns have affected human health and psychological well being of the people and the project is aimed at getting real-time data so that preventive action can be taken.

"It is necessary to regulate and control noise producing and generating sources so that ambient air quality standards in respect of noise can be maintained. We are also involving the state pollution control boards in the project," he said.

Noting that overall pollution level including noise pollution goes up significantly during Diwali due to bursting of noise emitting firecrackers, he said the new system will help the authorities to invoke provisions of relevant law and in taking on the offenders.
The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 specified ambient air quality standards in respect of noise for different areas and zones and any violation of the prescribed level attracts penalty.

As per the Rules, the state governments have to categorise various areas into industrial, commercial, residential or silence areas/zones for the purpose of implementation of noise standards for different areas.

The local authorities are responsible for enforcement of noise pollution control measures and the due compliance of the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise.