Bengaluru is infamous for its traffic congestion and noise. While the metro city has designated ‘silent zones’, these areas have unfortunately become some of the noisiest, with sound levels exceeding legal limits, especially at night. Scroll down to know the reasons.
Bengaluru’s Silent Zones Are Now The Noisiest
As per the data shared by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), noise levels in Bengaluru’s silent zones are beyond legal limits. These places are around hospitals and schools, and an increased noise level can disturb patients and students.
As per The New Indian Express, noise around RV College of Engineering (RVCE) on Mysore Road at night-time was recorded around 57.8 decibels (dB), which is 44.5% higher than the legal limit. Also, the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, around NIMHANS, has witnessed a 29% increase over the designated limit. Not only these, but the KSPCB’s own office in SG Halli reported violations in noise limits in the residential category. The noise level at this place increased by 61.8%.
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As per experts, phantom honking is a major reason for the increased noise levels in Bengaluru. Phantom honking is when drivers honk because of continuous traffic, frustration, or simply out of habit. This is the major reason why silent zones are noisier than industrial areas like Peenya and Whitefield. In fact, noise levels at Peenya and Whitefield are within the legal limits.
Residents Raise Concern
In talks with The New Indian Express, Prof Ashish Verma from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) stated that Bengaluru lacks noise barriers. Especially in areas near hospitals and schools are noisiest. He mentioned that IIT-Bombay had installed a noise barrier when a major road was expanded, but that’s not the case in Bengaluru.
Rajkumar Dugar, founder of Citizens for Citizens (C4C), has said that horns in vehicles are too loud or multi-toned. He stated that honking nowadays has become a habit, especially at night. These honking habits disturb sleep, affect work productivity, and the healing of patients in hospitals.
Many citizens have urged the government to take strict legal action to reduce the noise pollution in important areas.
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