Rail stations major source of noise pollution: Study
OBSERVATION Virar station on Western line records highest decibel levels from honking local trains
Honking local trains and announcements at railway stations are major sources of noise pollution in the city, revealed a study by a non-profit organization.
The study conducted in March this year revealed that highest noise levels of 119 decibel was recorded at Virar station on the Western line caused by honking local trains.
Sumaira Abdulali, convener of Awaaz Foundation, a non-profit organisation, had conducted the survey on noise polluters and targeted the railway stations on both Western and Central lines.
“The announcements at railway stations, announcements inside the trains, sound of applied brakes of a train are causes of noise pollution at railway stations,” said Abdulali.
During the survey, Abdulali measured the noise in the old trains and compared it with the decibels recorded with the new trains. It was recorded in the old train between Bandra and Chhtrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and a new train between CSMT and Thane Station.
“The survey revealed that the decibel level of the station announcements which includes public interest messages in the new trains exceeded those in old trains,” Abdulali said.
The sound of trains after the motorman applies the brakes, the trains honking, announcement inside the trains recorded the highest decibel of noise on Western line, she stressed.
Mahim station which falls on both Western line and Harbour line of Central Railway recorded at least 90 decibels of noise caused due to screeching sounds of applied brakes and at least 100 decibel of noise due to announcements inside the train.
“We recorded at least 90 decibel of noise caused due to train honking at Marine lines station and at least 95 decibel of noise at Dadar station caused due to announcements at stations,” Abdulali said.
The rising noise polluters have also largely affected the commuters who travel by local trains on a daily basis. “We feel stressed out and agitated due to the high noise levels of station announcement. After a hard day at work, we only desire for a peaceful commute which seems to be impossible in Mumbai,” said Rohan Dixit, a daily commuter from CSMT to Thane.
In the past five months, the railway authorities have conducted a drive against bhajan mandals in local trains which has recorded the second highest decibel of noise. However, the authorities have failed to eradicate them completely.
“The Mahim junction on the Harbour line has recorded at least 97 decibel of noise level caused due to bhajan with drums and harmonium played by the mandal groups,” Abdulali said.
The founder of the nonprofit organisation also raised the need to reduce the volume of public interest messages played inside the trains and also do away with announcements inside the trains.
“I have sent my suggestions to the authorities concerned and will also conduct a fresh survey to check the status of noise pollution at railway stations,” Abdulali added.