Aware citizens helped bring down noise pollution: Police

Aware citizens helped bring down noise pollution: PoliceAhmed Ali| Nov 8, 2016, 07.25 AM ISTRepresentative image

MUMBAI: NGO Awaaz Foundation on Monday said noise levels in the city during Diwali this year was 10 decibels less than previous years. It thanked the Mumbaikars, Mumbai police and the traffic police in bringing down the noise levels as well as air pollution in the city , which is considered to be one of the noisiest in the world.

Police commissioner Datta Padsalgikar on Monday gave the credit for bringing down noise pollution to citizens. "We thank Mumbaikars for keeping noise levels low this Diwali. The festival was quiet and peaceful due to continuous campaigning by Awaaz Foundation. The Mumbai traffic police and the Indian Medical Association too played key roles in spreading awareness and we hope noise pollution will further reduce in years to come," said Padsalgikar.

He said due to less bursting of firecrackers, quality of air in Mumbai too was better compared to other cities. Police said this Diwali, they took action wherever high decibel levels were recorded. Worli, Girgaum chowpatty , Marine Drive and Juhu chowpatty were among the few public places that reported heavy noise levels as people used these open spaces to burst crackers.

Sumaira Abdulali, Awaaz Foundation activist, said besides their campaign, schools played an important role."Schools helped in bringing about awareness among children and kids themselves took the decision not to burst noisy crackers this Diwali." said Abdulali. Police said the NGO, with the help of college students, have also brought awareness among motorists about the no-honking drive. Joint commissioner of police (traffic) Milind Bharambe said due to the campaign and action, noise level due to honking has gone down as well.

"Besides creating awareness till mid-October, we have registered 12,000 offences against motorists for unnecessary honking. Due to continous efforts and campaign, awareness is increasing and people now avoid honking without reason."
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Dr Parthiv Sanghvi, a member of the Indian Medical Association, said honking is a like a disease that keeps on increasing. "It's like hornflu -seeing one honking, the other motorist honks too and it keeps multiplying. Noise pollution is a serious health hazard and can cause annoyance and aggression, hypertension, high stress levels and can have direct effects on one's heart," said Sanghvi.

The Times of India had recently run a campaign against rising noise levels in the city.