Existing policy set to be restructured

The city administration is proposing a policy restructuring for seeking “acoustical solutions” to the impending issue of noise pollution in the national capital.

The environment department along with the Delhi pollution control committee ( DPCC) is contemplating on widening the already existing measures and guidelines for curbing noise pollution that have, so far, seemingly been ineffective to reduce noise. A senior government official said that the department is seeking a “re- orientation and restructuring” of the policy regarding the noise pollution in the state. The official said the department, in consultation with the DPCC, is also set to initiate citywide surveys to study noise level in various parts of the Delhi, so that the new policy can take a more “holistic framework.” The DPCC, which has from time to time been conducting noise related surveys through various agencies, is also likely to rope in international experts for task. “Many experts would be consulted and department officials would also study some successful environmental models of cities like Munich,” the official added.

A study undertaken by DPCC last year had found that residential areas where the noise levels were recorded to be “dangerously high” were central Delhi, Rohini, Pitampura, Dwarka and IGI Airport. The levels when measured were found anywhere between 80 decible ( dB) and 93 dB at different times day and night. For instance, in Dwarka, the noise levels were as high as 93 dB.

The committee had also joined hands with the Delhi police to check noise pollution for which it had set up a 24x7 noise pollution helpline on which residents can call up and lodge complaints about the decibel overload from temples, religious gatherings, banquet halls or a loud party next door.

The DPCC conducts monthly ambient Noise Level monitoring at 40 locations in Delhi. The major sources of noise pollution in Delhi are industrial, aircraft, transportation and diesel generator sets.

The Delhi government has notified an area of 100 meters, around the hospitals with 100 beds or more, educational institutions with 1000 students or more, all court complexes, all government office complexes as silence zones.