Noise pollution above permissible limits in city

Hyderabad: Over the years, Hyderabad has seen exponential growth in terms of commerce and technology industry. According to Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB), the reason for sound levels to be at an all-time high is because of the massive increase in industries, transport vehicles, construction activities, and constant traffic.

According to the TSPCB, noise levels recorded from different parts of the city exceeded the national standard levels prescribed for residential, commercial, industrial and sensitive zones.

The board has set up 11 real-time noise monitoring stations in the city at commercial zones of Abids, Punjagutta, JNTU and RC Puram. The industrial zones of Jeedimetla and Sanath Nagar and silence zone at the Zoo Park and Gachibowli, along with residential zone of Jubilee Hills and Tarnaka, as per the zoning of the areas given in the GO 172. The reports suggest that noise pollution is exceeding the permissible levels in various parts of the city.

According to data till May 2019 recorded by the TSPCB, the noise level recordings in the busy commercial areas of Abids, Paradise, JNTU and RC Puram are around 71.5 dB in the day time and 69.0 dB during nights against the permissible limit of 65.0 dB in daytime and 55.0 dB during nights.

The noise-level recordings at residential areas of Jubilee Hills and Tarnaka are around 59.0 dB in the day time and 55.0 in nighttime against the permissible limit of 55.0 dB during day and 45.0 dB in the nights.

Surprisingly, the industrial zones of Jeedimetla and Sanath Nagar recorded data within the permissible limits of around 71.0 dB in the day time and 67.0 dB in the night time. The permissible limits in industrial areas are 75.0 dB during day and 70.0 dB at nights.

The sensitive areas of Zoo Park and Gachibowli recorded data around 57.5 dB in the day time and 55.0 dB in the night time. The permissible limits in sensitive areas are 50.0 dB in the day time and 40.0 dB at nights. According to environmental experts, schools, and hospitals are the ones which record high noise pollution due to narrow roads and high vehicle density.