Janmashtami celebrations saw a major dip in the usage of loudspeakers this year. Sumaira Abdulali, Convenor of Awaaz Foundation who was out measuring decibel levels across Mumbai and Thane along with Dr Mahesh Bedekar a Thane resident and a petitioner in High Court against noise pollution during festivals reported that Thane was much louder than Mumbai.
"Its not that the noise levels were not high in Mumbai, in fact the noise levels at some locations went up to 101.3 dB but this noise was due to honking, whistling and usage of drums and trumpets. Since the sound of drums, whistles, horns were not amplified with loudspeakers, it did not carry to any distance and was loud only when standing immediately next to the noise source," explained Abdulali.
The activist claimed that the highest noise level was found near Hill Road at Bandra opposite Bandra Police Station, where the banners displayed photographs of Mumbai's BJP chief Ashish Shelar. "The noise level at this site was the highest, 113.3dB and was higher than the noise at the same site during Dahi Handi in 2016, which was measured to be 103dB," informed Abdulali. She further added that in the evening around 7.20 pm when she visited Hill Road she found the noise levels to be around 111dB however unlike morning they were using loudspeakers to only make announcements meanwhile at the same location another one organised by Congress too was using loudspeakers.
Meanwhile in Thane, which witnesses high decibel levels during Gokulashtami celebrations saw lesser number of events organised as compared to last year. "In fact some hospital owners informed me that the cops had refused permission for sound systems and DJ's in front of the hospitals which falls under silence zones," said Bedekar adding that though the noise levels compared to previous years were low but were certainly much higher than normal.
NOISIER ...
- Activists claimed that the highest noise level was found near Hill Road, Bandra, at 113.3dB.
- Most noise levels were high due to honking, whistling and usage of drums and trumpets
