THINK TWICE before you venture out on the roads as the screaming of pressure horns could disturb your auditory system here in Varanasi.
As per reports of the Pollution Control Board (PCB), the sound pollution level is on a constant rise in various commercial, residential and sensitive areas due to use of generators, traffic congestion, dilapidated condition of roads, increasing number of pressure horns, consistent use of horns while making a desperate attempt to overtake another vehicles, etc.
As per the set standards, the normal sound level in any commercial area should be around 65 decibels during day and 55 decibels during night hours whereas in residential areas, the normal sound level should be 55 decibels in day hours and 45 decibels during night hours. The normal sound level should be 50 decibels during day hours and 40 decibels during night hours in the sensitive areas.
But a Pollution Control Board survey revealed that the sound level was on a constant rise in Varanasi and was recorded between 65.3 to 80 decibels in different localities — which is far more than the set standards and could affect one’s auditory system.
The highest sound level was recorded at 80 decibels in Nadesar area while at Maidagin, which is considered as sensitive area due to Shiv Prasad Gupta Divisional Hospital, the sound level was recorded at 69.8 decibel. Similarly, the sound levels in Bhelupur, Sigra, Godowlia, Lanka, Lahurabeer, Pandeypur, Shivpur and Sarnath were recorded at 69.7, 73.4, 71, 71.1, 77.3, 77.6 and 65.3 decibels, respectively.