’09 ushers in a sound future for city
A Series Of Measures Will Ensure A Quieter Mumbai …………Mansi Choksi & Sukhada Tatke | TNN
Is the government finally waking up to the necessity to control the 24/7 noise pollution in this beleaguered city? If recent announcements are any indication, there’s reason for cheer.
In a heartening development, the BMC is finally set to put up signage that will mark silence zones all over the city (100 metres around schools, colleges, hospitals and courts). “Once these are marked, people will have to abide by the noise pollution rules under the Environment Protection Act,’’“If residents notice that the rules are being violated, they can complain.’’
The BMC’s other plan, that of introducing a clause in the Intention of Disapproval (IOD) and Commencement Certificate (CC) which will make it mandatory for developers to adhere to permissible decibel limits during construction, is also reassuring. “Once this becomes a pre-condition in the IOD there will be a much-needed system in place,’’
Environmental activists and citizens who’ve been subjected to cacophonous construction noise levels are thrilled with the development. “It’s a very welcome move,’’ says Sumaira Abdulali of Awaaz Foundation, adding that noise-free construction is perfectly possible with the latest technology—which, however, builders avoid to cut costs. “Various departments of the government have already undertaken noise-free construction in accordance with the conditions laid down in environmental clearances,’’ she adds. “MSRDC is doing this for the Trans Harbour Sea Link, the Bandra Worli Sea Link and other projects. It’s time the people of Mumbai ensured that private builders do so as well.’’
Residents associations are also happy with the BMC’s initiative. Says Anandini Thakoor, chairperson of the Khar Residents Association,”We have been constantly calling the police because work in our area would go on through the night in the absence of a law relating to construction activities. We will now ensure that action is taken.’’
Another bugbear that will be tackled this year is the constant din from traffic for people living close to main roads and highways. UPS Madan, head of the Mumbai Transformation Unit (MTU), which has proposed sound barriers for new flyovers, says that provisions for the latter will soon be published for suggestions and objections and included in the developmental control (DC) rules. “It will be made mandatory for roads of certain widths, sizes and distances to have sound barriers if they are close to residential zones. All the details have already been worked out,’’ he says.
DCP (Traffic) Harish Baijal, who spearheaded the No Horn Day movement last year to control traffic noise, says that the next step in this direction will soon be taken. “The number of people fined after the exercise has increased exponentially,’’ he says. “We used to fine only 5,000 to 6,000 people every year for honking. But after the campaign was launched, we pulled up about 40,000 people. In fact, on Monday we fined 117 people.’’
Activists like Thakoor, who actively participated in No Horn Day last year, feel it has been successful to the extent that citizens are now aware that unnecessary honking is a traffic offence. “I won’t say it has been a great success, but honking has reduced considerably because drivers were given a warning and even fined,’’ she says. “It was the first time that the traffic police actively participated to ensure that drivers understand that noise pollution is a concern. We should carry out this programme again to reinforce it in the minds of people.’’
Abdulali’s public interest litigation writ on the subject of noise, which is currently before the Bombay high court, was responsible for many of the anti-noise measures being introduced now. “The court had directed the government to hold a meeting to coordinate the various issues concerning noise in the city,’’ she says.
“The chief secretary held a meeting of all relevant department heads, and each dept has undertaken certain measures, like the BMC’s demarcation of silence zones and construction noise.’’
Abdulali adds that noise is the result of urbanisation, which is taking place at breakneck speed in Mumbai. “Unless noise is treated as an ingredient of urbanisation which needs to be controlled in a systematic manner, ad hoc measures are of limited value,’’ she says. Environmentalists now have their fingers crossed, hoping that the new systemic changes do actually come out of the plethora of promises.
SOUND BYTES
SOUND BYTES
2003: High court bans loudspeakers in silence zones
2004: Senior government and police officials attend first seminar on noise pollution
2005: Supreme Court bans loudspeakers after 10 pm
2006: Senior government and police officials attend first seminar on noise from traffic and construction
2008: First No Horn Day to control unnecessary honking held by the traffic police
2008: BMC announces clause in IOD certificate to control construction noise
2008: Mumbai Transformation Unit proposes sound barriers for all new flyovers
2009: BMC to put up signage indicating silence zones