Residents hope for strict action on noise pollution

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 29

City residents are happy that the issue of rising noise pollution was raised during the budget meeting. However, they are cautious and expect concrete action will be taken to contain the menace.

Col (Retd) RS Patial, Principal, Government Residential School for Meritorious Students, said, “Majority of us are forced to silently bear this cacophony because there is no one to listen to us. Noise pollution is a major cause of hypertension to many residents. It has become a health hazard for the populace, especially people engaged in strenuous work, aged, infirm and children.”

Any evolved worshipper doesn’t require loudspeaker for praying. During religious events, running overnight, loudspeakers blare throughout the night. It is extremely difficult for the students who have to appear for their board and other professional exams.

Pawandeep Sharma, vice president, Punjab Sudhar Sabha, said religious events which exceed permissible sound limit should not be allowed. He opined that the noise pollution created by the vehicles, including buses and motorcycles, has been a major cause of concern in view of the fact that a large number of vehicles are increasing on the city roads. All this is happening despite of the fact that stringent punishment is provided in statutes, if anyone is found violating the rules.

He sought a complete ban on devices installed on vehicles, which emit high pitch sound. These vehicles are a major cause of sound pollution leading to inconvenience to the general public.

Sharma said experts are of the opinion that noise pollution has deleterious effect on the health and psychological well-being of the people. As per the notification issued by the government in 2014, the level of sound in the residential area is 55 dB and in industrial zone, it is 75 dB, he said.

When contacted, Harpal Singh, environmental engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), said, “It is good indication that the matter of noise pollution was taken up in the budget meeting. We have received only two complaints of noise pollution and the matters were immediately resolved. There was a case of noise polution during a religious programme by priests of a temple near Bhagtanwala grain market.”

He said maximum numbers of complaints were received against noise pollution during religious functions on roads. He informed that in such cases DSP level officer is authorised to take action. If required, the official can seek the services of PPCB officials to ascertain the level of pollution.

Another major source of noise pollution is industry and complaints are generally received from areas where both residential dwellings and industrial units are situated.