MUMBAI: Aawaz foundation has made a complaint to the chief minister Eknath Shinde and commissioner of police Vivek Phansalkar about the noise violations at Eid e Milad celebrations held at Byculla and Mohamedali Road on Sunday.
According to the foundation the noise level measured at the celebrations reached 116.3 decibels which is close to triple the prescribed limits during night hours. This was more than even the 2015 and 2016 levels, the report stated urging Shinde and Phansalkar to take appropriate action against the violations.
"The highest noise level recorded was 116.3 dB, at Mohamedali Road next to JJ Hospital, when DJ (Disk Jockey) operated complete stereo sound systems mounted on decorated trucks using mixers, amplifiers, generators and loudspeakers to play music and songs. Such DJ systems have been banned by the Police. The matter is under consideration of the Bombay High Court which has refused to stay the police notice. Accordingly, DJs in processions are in gross violation,"said Sumaira Abdulali of the foundation.
"Maximum zone wise decibel limits are to be maintained according to Noise Rules and the Supreme Court and Bombay High Court Orders. Religion is not a ground for violation of Noise Rules. Yesterday at Eid e Milad celebrations, Awaaz Foundation measured noise pollution. Police were present at some of the sites where violations were recorded,"she pointed out.
Ideally, in a residential area, 55dB between 6am-10pm and 45dB between 10pm-6am is the norm for noise levels. "Noise pollution at such a high levels not only adversely affects hearing but also causes high blood pressure and heart disease; mental health disorders, anxiety and rage; it can even cause cancer. Because animals hear frequencies of sound which humans cannot, the effect on them is significant too. Animals can become terrified, get lost. It has been found that even caterpillars have elevated heart rates when exposed to high noise levels. Noise also interferes with migratory and mating patterns of animals and contributes adversely to climate change," she said.
At Byculla the procession with loudspeakers mounted on truck with DJ showed the decibel levels to 112.5dB.
