MMRDA may pay more to map sound in Mumbai
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) wants
to hike the amount sanctioned to map sound levels across the city. This is
because it cannot find a qualified consultant to do the mapping at the
approved cost of Rs 30 lakh.

    Sound mapping will help city planners identify noisy areas so they can
develop a strategy to maintain ambient sound levels across the city.

    Sumaira Abdulali, who heads the NGO Awaaz Foundation, said on the
current budget, "at the most they might be able to map noise pollution on
some 20-odd roads being widened by MMRDA and rail projects under the Mumbai
Urban Transport Project''.

    Many NGOs feel that the prevailing delay may be a blessing in disguise.
They say the MMRDA should use the time to discuss the issue further with
experts, so that a comprehensive survey, with findings that have longer-term
bearing, can be conducted.

    Noise pollution is one of the factors the central environment ministry
and state organisations consider when giving the green light for city
projects. Mumbai has many areas where noise pollution is rampant,
particularly with roads being widened and flyovers being built.

    Experts believe that noise measuring over 90 decibels can cause loss of
hearing and problems for the nervous system. The World Health Organisation
has fixed 45 decibels as the safe limit for sound in a city. However,
metropolitan areas in most Indian cities usually register an average noise
of 80 to 95 decibels. Mumbai is one of the noisiest cities in the country.

THE NOISEMAKERS

Loudspeakers Firecrackers Traffic Construction sites Businesses in
residential areas


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