Lowest noise level outside Mumbai hospitals more than the highest in London

Lowest noise level outside Mumbai hospitals more than the highest in London
 VIRAT A SINGH | Thu, 18 May 2017-07:50am , DNAThe analysis was carried out by anti-noise pollution activist Sumaira Abdulali 
The highest noise levels measured outside six major hospitals in central London was found to be lower than the lowest noise levels recorded outside six hospitals in Mumbai, during a comparative noise level analysis between Mumbai and London. The analysis was carried out by anti-noise pollution activist Sumaira Abdulali.
Convenor of Awaaz Foundation, Abdulali took noise level readings outside Mumbai hospitals in April. She then decided to carry her decibel meter during her recent trip to London where she, along with London resident Nigel Watts, took readings of noise levels both outside and inside hospitals.
"Be it urban mobility, infrastructure or other aspects, our politicians and bureaucrats keep aspiring to implement the ideas of the west in Mumbai, but they never talk about the noise levels in the same manner," she said. She added that she has decided to send the comparisons of noise levels to both Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis as well as Health Minister Deepak Sawant so that they can set a task committee to check how the noise levels could be brought down.
Abdulali and Watts took noise level readings in the vicinity of six central London hospitals on a working day. All the hospitals were located on busy roads. "The outside noise levels ranged from 62 to 88 dB, while it ranged to about 56 to 74 dB inside the lobby. On the other hand, it ranged from 95.1dB to 100.5 dB in Mumbai, which was mainly due to continuous honking despite it being a silence zone," said Abdulali.


Abdulai said the high noise level, which is a result of incessant honking by vehicles in the slow moving traffic outside the hospitals, is detrimental for the health of the patients.
"While the maximum noise level in London was found at London Clinic that was 88dB the lowest was observed at Guy's which was 63dB however the highest in Mumbai was 100.3 dB outside KEM hospital while the lowest was 95.1dB at Lilavati. Hence the highest noise level recorded in London was still lower than the lowest recorded noise in Mumbai," said Abdulali adding that the decibel levels of the ambulance was also higher in Mumbai at 100dB compared to 94dB in London.
Speaking on the comparison of noise levels between London and Mumbai Watts said, "The comparison with Mumbai hospitals was striking. The noise levels there seem to be significantly higher than in London."
...& ANALYSIS

• Honking is one of the biggest source of noise pollution in Mumbai. It stems from extremely low road etiquettes. Noise levels outside hospitals are extremely high due to honking, and only regular awareness followed by strict enforcement could bring in some change.
  
  
  
  
• Also, the hospitals need to take the high decibel levels seriously and think of ways to reduce the noise by taking up measures like installing noise cutters, planting trees and consulting experts.

©2017 Diligent Media Corporation Ltd.