Sound Check: Flyover route to noise pollution
8 May 2013 6:44 AM IST
According to a research report, flyovers, looked upon as a sign of development and a solution to traffic woe, have become epicentres of noise pollution, resulting in health hazards for people living near them. In a recent research the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) has advised the Central government to involve noise pollution experts in the planning of flyovers and take necessary steps to contain sound pollution in these areas.
'The volume of normal conversation in these area has increased from 45 decibel to 55 decibel as people can't listen low volume voice in these areas,' said Naseem Akhtar, Scientist in CRRI, New Delhi. 'It was found that the noise level at most places near flyovers was in the decibel range of 78 to 83, as against the prescribed limit of 55 decibel in residential areas in the national capital during the day and 45 decibel at night,' he added.
High noise pollution has been recorded on the Ring Road, from Ashram and Maharani Bagh to Panchsheel and Vasant Vihar. In the survey, the CRRI recorded noise levels of over 100 places in the city. According to the report, the main cause behind the noise level is the passage of trucks and buses over the flyovers. The noise level at Ashram flyover is recorded at 83 decibel, the highest in the city followed by 81 decibel at Moolchand.
'People in these areas complain of high blood pressure, increased irritation and hearing problems,' added Akhtar. High level of sound pollution is also a problem on Outer Ring Road, used by trucks and heavy vehicles. Areas with high levels of sound pollution in the city are Munirka Flyover, Connaught Place, Panchsheel Park, Masjid Moth, Chirag Dilli, and Nehru Place. Even silence zones like areas around AIIMS and Apollo Hospital recorded alarmingly high levels of sound pollution, the report said.
In the report, CRRI has advised the central government to involve sound pollution experts in planning flyovers, so that preventive measures can be incorporated in the design and to use acoustic measures to contain the sound pollution in these areas.
'The volume of normal conversation in these area has increased from 45 decibel to 55 decibel as people can't listen low volume voice in these areas,' said Naseem Akhtar, Scientist in CRRI, New Delhi. 'It was found that the noise level at most places near flyovers was in the decibel range of 78 to 83, as against the prescribed limit of 55 decibel in residential areas in the national capital during the day and 45 decibel at night,' he added.
High noise pollution has been recorded on the Ring Road, from Ashram and Maharani Bagh to Panchsheel and Vasant Vihar. In the survey, the CRRI recorded noise levels of over 100 places in the city. According to the report, the main cause behind the noise level is the passage of trucks and buses over the flyovers. The noise level at Ashram flyover is recorded at 83 decibel, the highest in the city followed by 81 decibel at Moolchand.
'People in these areas complain of high blood pressure, increased irritation and hearing problems,' added Akhtar. High level of sound pollution is also a problem on Outer Ring Road, used by trucks and heavy vehicles. Areas with high levels of sound pollution in the city are Munirka Flyover, Connaught Place, Panchsheel Park, Masjid Moth, Chirag Dilli, and Nehru Place. Even silence zones like areas around AIIMS and Apollo Hospital recorded alarmingly high levels of sound pollution, the report said.
In the report, CRRI has advised the central government to involve sound pollution experts in planning flyovers, so that preventive measures can be incorporated in the design and to use acoustic measures to contain the sound pollution in these areas.
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