Incessant noise can harm those delicate ears of yours. Thus the Bangalore Shoppers’ Welfare Association are taking stringent actions to reduce those rising decibels
NEW YORK mayor Michael Bloomberg recently drew up a noise code for the city: no blaring music, no honking and no incessantly barking dogs.
Closer home in Bangalore, the Brigade Road Shoppers'' Welfare Association has been doing a reality check on noise levels at various points along the street. It is a pointer to the concern caused by rising noise levels in the city.
"Noise levels that exceed prescribed limits can lead to serious health hazards," say officials at the pollution control board. "Since Brigade Road is our most-frequented shopping hub and hang-out , we want to make it as comfortable for them as possible," says Suhail Yusuff, secretary of the shoppers'' welfare establishment.
"Brigade Road is a highend shopping space and noise pollution disturbs and disorients shoppers. We recorded the noise pollution levels on the street to make people aware of the problem and to help find solutions," says Suhail.
According to him, one of the main reasons for increased pollution - both noise and air - is the parking problem.
"Since there''s such a shortage of parking space on Church Street, Residency Road and MG Road, everyone tries to find slots on Brigade Road. This is causing an overload," he says.
With cars jostling for space, there''s no stopping horn-happy drivers.
"I hate it when people honk without reason, especially when it''s evident that there is a jam or a red light and the person in front has nowhere to go," says Sandhya Chawla, a student .
The noise on Brigade Road is a mere indicator of the bigger scenario. Noise levels in the city are way above acceptable standards set by the Central Government. And not all the noise pollution is caused by vehicles.
"Every commercial complex is noisy these days. And it''s high time we stopped blaming the government and did our bit to keep noise levels down," says techie Sudhir Walia.
Coffee shops, while hugely popular, also contribute to the city''s noise pollution.
"I frequent coffee shops in the afternoons when there are fewer people. But they play such loud music there we have to raise our voices to be heard," says Vatsa Kumar, a regular at cafes.
According to a pollution control board official, "There are only certain measures that we can take. We can ban loud horns and silencers, but it''s up to the transport department to crack down on errant drivers. We can place ''no honking'' and ''switch off your mobile phones'' signs; we can educate people about the health hazards noise can cause, like hearing loss and cardiovascular diseases. The rest is left to the citizens."
WHAT CITIZENS CAN DO
Switch off mobile phones when not required, especially in schools, hospitals and theatres Speak softly when you''re on your mobile phone. Do not honk without reason Don''t tamper with the silencer of your vehicles When organising a function, keep music volume down
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