KOLKATA: The Eastern Bench of National Green Tribunal on Thursday asked the central and state pollution pollution control boards to conduct a joint survey of sound pollution levels in Kolkata, including silence zones. The report has to be submitted by February 23.
The PCB, along with the state chief secretary and the DGP, will have to submit an action taken report against the offenders on the same day.
Though air pollution had reduced in the past two years owing to pandemic restrictions that has led to lesser traffic on the roads, sound pollution has continued unabated except for the period of lockdown between March-end and June-beginning 2020.
“The sound limit during the day in residential areas is 55 decibels and 45 decibels at night. Similarly, it is 65 decibels in commercial areas during the day and 55 decibels in night. These limits are violated everyday. No one adheres to the ban on loudspeakers and honking near silence zones,” said petitioner Subhas Datta, who had filed a non-compliance complaint.
NGT bench of judicial member Justice B Amit Sthalekar and expert member Saibal Dasgupta demanded to know how many microphones and air horns had been seized by PCB and police, and what action had been taken against offenders including levy of penalty. Justice Sthalekar also remarked on the motorcycle racing menace and the racket they racers created at night, honking without, waking up people from sleep and spreading terror.
