Based on data from monitoring stations, July was the loudest month of the year for Bengaluru so far.
Story so far: The state Pollution Control Board has ten noise monitoring stations across the city, including in silence zones and residential and commercial areas. Noise levels are mostly within limits in industrial and commercial zones. However, they go high in residential and designated silence zones.
- The highest increase in monthly decibel values was recorded by the sensor at the TERI office in Domlur – 47% at night and 20% during the day.
- The sensor at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (NIMHANS) recorded an increase of 77.5% at night and 15% during the day.
No enforcement: Activists say the rules aren’t being properly implemented and enforced. They’ve blamed the traffic police and pollution control authorities. Many people aren’t aware of the rules like honking being made illegal.
Where are the devices? Pollution control board officials said 108 decibel meters had been given to the traffic police. However, the traffic police department said they hadn’t received any despite discussions about them over the past two years.