Eid-e-Milad processions and programmes in the city breached the central pollution control board’s (CPCB) permissible noise levels in residential and silence zones, according to non-government organisation Awaaz Found-ation. Cadell Road, Mahim recorded the noisiest celebrations as noise levels reached 104.5 decibels (dB).
The NGO measured noise levels across four locations in the city– Byculla, Bhendi Bazaar, Cadell Road and Worli Naka— between 3pm and 5pm. The noise levels recorded at various processions at these locations ranged from 90dB to 104dB.
According to CPCB norms, the daytime permissible noise limit in residential areas is 55dB while for silence zones it is 50dB.
“We received several calls from residents complaining about noisy celebrations that started as early as 8am. Several processions and programs were located around hospitals and the police did not even ask them to tone down the noise,” said Sumaira Abdulali, convenor, Awaaz Foundation.
“These processions used conical and stacked speakers that spread the noise in the vicinity. Celebrations on Cadell Road and Mohammad Ali Road were the noisiest,” added Abdulali.
“Processions going from Veer Savarkar Road to Mahim Dargah created a huge din. We informed the police about the noise in the morning, but the volume was reduced only in the evening,” said Bhagyashree Kelkar, resident, Mahim (West).
Last year, noise levels during Ganesh Chaturthi were the highest in a decade. During Navratri, Hindustan Times, as part of its ‘Say no to noise’ campaign, recorded noise levels of 110dB at the Goregaon sports club.