Mumbaikars would be the first one to welcome the new laws stating substantial reduction in noise levels for vehicles. Living in a congested city like Mumbai laden with stress and tough traveling routines often pushes off the temperament to the edge, and a dose of silence can be like just what the doctor advised! The state government reportedly has issued a fresh notification stating that vehicles across segments are required to reduce the honking sound by about 30 decibels. This indeed means that the sound may come down by 87%.
As per the government directives, municipal corporations across cities and towns are required to hold public consultations to declare certain residential areas as no honking zones and stipulate timings if the need arises. Sanctuaries and other forest reserves in areas like Panchagani, Dahanu, Matheran, Kass plateau, Mahabaleshwar, Koyna, Chandoli and Radhanagari shall be strictly declared as no-honking zones.
Speaking about implementation of law in the city, Dr Yeshwant Oke, an anti-noise pollution activist said, “City people have no clear idea of acceptable decibel levels. Certain vehicles are not road-worthy due to old engines or lack of proper lubrication. It's good that respective residential areas are being considered as no-honking zones as well." Currently, engines reportedly make sound of about 74dB(A), whereas the honking sound can be about 40dB(A) extra to it, thereby bring the noise level from just one car to about 114dB(A). With the new rule, the vehicles are required to follow 84dB(A) noise limit, which means that engine noise may be around 74dB(A) and horns may be about 10dB(A).
Speaking more about the siyuation in the city, Anil Joseph, an activist and a committee member of Mumbai traffic police advisory committee, said, “In a city like ours, there is heavy vehicular traffic during certain times of the day and the noise pollution goes above acceptable levels, thus causing problems for everyone. In fact, there is a big honking problem in the city that makes it even worse on the roads.”
Source: TOI
