New Delhi, Apr 1: Delhi will soon have six automatic noise monitoring centre to keep a real-time tab on decibel levels.
These centres will be set up at R K Puram, Mandir Marg, Anand Vihar, IGI airport, Civil Lines and Punjabi Bagh.
A Delhi Pollution Control Committee official said, the centres will constantly keep a vigil on decibel levels.
An average Delhiite is exposed to noise levels several strata higher than what is considered safe.
“There is no real-time data,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). “Random and manual monitoring is sometimes conducted with hand-held devices. This has resulted in poor data collection because there are no area-specific plans.”
The National Green Tribunal in January told the DPCC to curb noise pollution and have a 24x7 call centre for registration of complaints.
The tribunal also asked the traffic police and sub-divisional magistrates to take action against offenders.
The CSE recently conducted a survey and found noise levels going up to 100 decibels in commercial zones (standard 60 db) and 90 decibels in residential zones (standard 50 db) during peak traffic hours.
Roychowdhury added, “Exposure to high noise levels even for short durations is also very harmful.”
Doctors say anything above 85 decibels may be harmful for the ear. Above 90 decibels is potentially damaging to the inner ear.
Among Indian cities, Mumbai is the nosiest, followed by Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore.
