MUMBAI: After two years of muted festivities in the shadow of the pandemic, noise pollution again increased to deafening levels with the use of drums, conical loudspeakers, and banjos increased noise levels on the fifth day of Ganpati idol immersions.On Sunday, the highest noise level of 115.6 decibel (dB) was recorded at the Babulnath corner of Marine Drive and 112.1dB at Bandra, mostly due to drums and banjos. Noise level of 109.4dB was recorded when a metal cylinder was beaten by a metal hammer at 109.4dB at Linking Road and by drums when sound was reflected off metal barriers of the Metro construction at Khira Nagar on SV Road. In 2019, the highest recorded noise level during Ganeshotsav was 111.5dB.Awaaz Foundation, led by Sumaira Abdulali, measured noise levels at various spots across the city. The permissible noise levels in residential areas is 55dB from 6am-10pm and 45dB from 10pm-6am.”Noise at such high levels not only adversely affects hearing, but also causes high blood pressure, heart disease, mental health disorders, anxiety and rage; it can even cause cancer. Because animals hear frequencies of sound which humans cannot, the effect on them is significant…” Abdulali said, adding that noise also interferes with migratory and mating patterns of animals and contributes adversely to climate change. “In the the last few years, Ganesh mandals themselves have cooperated in reducing noise as there is considerable awareness about its ill effects . We now need strict enforcement of the law,” she added. – Chittaranjan Tembhekar
