Noise pollution: In Lucknow, Indira Nagar is the noisiest
Day and night time levels recorded between 65.8 and 72.1 dB(A) and 56.3 and 63.3 dB(A)
Besides having the ‘dirtiest air’, Indira Nagar locality in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, also tops the noise pollution chart both during day and night time.
As per the noise monitoring data recorded during the pre-monsoon period in residential areas, the noise levels during day and night time were recorded between 65.8 to 72.1 and 56.3 to 63.3 dB(A) respectively.
All the values were higher than the prescribed limits of 55 and 45 dB (A) for day and night time. In commercial and traffic areas, the day and night time noise levels were recorded between 75.2 and 81.4 and 58.0 to 67.4 dB(A).
Noise level at all the commercial sites during day and night time were found above the prescribed limits of 65 and 55 dB (A).
In industrial area Amausi, the day and night time noise levels were recorded at 76.5 and 65.0 dB (A) respectively.
“High noise levels result in lack of concentration for individuals as sleep is disturbed. A person living close to the road is unable to go into to deep sleep, an essential part of night-time sleep,” said Dr Sandeep Kapoor, director, Healthcity Trauma Centre and Superspeciality Hospital.
Experts said high levels of noise, especially during the nights do not allow the brain to relax hence concentration levels of the person living continuously amid noise pollution will decrease, which will be reflected at school, office and on the road while driving.
“Noise from truck or a car, especially pressure horns does not allow rejuvenation of brain cells,” said Prof AA Mahdi, HoD, biochemistry at the King George’s Medical University (KGMU).
A person needs seven hours of sleep in 24-hour cycle and in that sleep the mind goes into deep sleep after roughly two and a half hours of continuous/undisturbed sleep, said experts. “So, if the sleep gets disturbed in between, the brain won’t be able to go into deep sleep thus it won’t be relaxing,” said Dr Vinod Jain, senior faculty, KGMU.