Malls make Xmas shopping a noisy affair

If you left your neighbourhood mall with a headache after shopping there on Christmas blame it on the noise levels

If you left your neighbourhood mall with a headache after shopping there on Christmas blame it on the noise levels.

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Hindustan Times and activist Sumaira Abdulali, founder of Awaaz Foundation, checked noise levels at five city malls on December 25 and found that they exceeded the permissible day-time levels of 65 decibels (dB).

Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel recorded 85 decibels (dB), Oberoi Mall, Goregaon notched up 82dB and Inorbit Mall, Malad recorded 81dB. Nirmal Lifestyle at Mulund recorded 80dB.

Loud music and noisy entertainment shows pushed the noise levels up. “At my age it becomes difficult to bear this noise so I am leaving early,” said 63-year-old, Jayashree Shringaonkar, a shopper at Nirmal Lifestyle. No official from Nirmal Lifestyle was available for comment.

Alex Coutinho, head of marketing and public relations, Phoenix Mills, said: “We lend our place to performers from outside so it becomes difficult to keep a check on them but we give them specifications about noise levels.” An official from City Center Mall said they did not need special permission for loudspeakers since the events were conducted on private premises.

Abdulali said that people are unaware of the harm loud noise can cause. “Continuous and prolonged exposure to this noise level can cause health hazards,” said Sumaira Abdulali, founder of Awaaz Foundation.

Abdulali said malls conduct such events because of public demand. Kishore Bhatija, chief executive officer, Inorbit Mall, said: “Inorbit strives to maintain reasonable decible standards. On this occasion it may be possible that the event guys got carried away.”

A representative of Oberoi Mall, requesting anonymity, said: “We try to keep the decibel level under limit. If we receive complaints from customers we lower the volume or provide them with ear-plugs.”