The noise levels recorded on the last day of Ganesh Visarjan touched the 115 decibel-mark in some parts of Mumbai and were slightly higher compared to last year.
According to data provided by Mumbai-based NGO Awaaz Foundation, the maximum noise level at the Ganesh Visarjan procession was recorded at 115 dB at around 12.22 am on Tuesday near the Opera House. Last year, the highest noise levels recorded on the last day of Ganeshotsav stood at 114.7 dB.
Meanwhile, outside the Opera House, the noise level reached 112.2 dB in Bandra (west) at around 9.28pm on Tuesday. Apart from this, several places like Juhu, Santacruz, Cuffe Parade and Colaba, also recorded noise levels higher than 100dB between 8pm and midnight on September 17.
The report stated that the sources of sound in all these areas were mainly drums and loudspeakers.
“Microphones were used to amplify drums, banjos and other types of music. On the water-logged road leading to Girgaon Chowpatty, political loudspeakers were used to make speeches and continue past midnight. At about 12.14 am on September 17, although the sound speakers from the procession were turned off, the speeches continued and the noise level rose to 98dB,” said the Foundation report.
The maximum noise level during the Eid-e-Milad procession held on Wednesday was 101dB on Mohamed Ali Road, followed by 90 dB in Byculla and 85.5 dB in Mumbai Cental. Sound levels were recorded from loudspeakers that were used to make speeches. The highest sound level recorded in 2023 was 108 dB.
The report also states that loudspeakers mounted on trucks were considered as one of the main sources of noise levels during Eid-e-Milad.
Sumaira Abdulali, a member of the NGO, said she will write to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to point out that loudspeaker amplification, regardless of the source of the sound, violates decibel levels.
“This is very important to note when the speeches continue at midnight, beyond the limited time of the speakers. In the post-Covid-19 years, it has been noted that in violation of noise regulations and court orders, political parties continue to use loudspeakers at midnight on the procession route. This year too, the loudspeakers continued to peak after midnight. Although there were few DJs, the amplification of the music including drums and banjos using microphones caused a lot of noise in many gatherings,” said Abdulali.
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