(a) whether noise pollution has increased in major cities of the country;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) the present status of noise pollution in major cities including Hyderabad;
(d) the standards laid down by World Health Organisation (WHO) in this regard; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to implement the WHO standards in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) to (c). The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/ Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) have been carrying out sporadic noise monitoring
in urban areas, mainly during festivals such as Deepawali. A few SPCBs and PCCs have initiated
regular noise monitoring since 2008-09. As per available data, the laid down noise norms for
respective zones (Industrial, Commercial, Residential or Silence) are exceeded at many
locations. However, a definite trend can not be ascertained for major cities, including
Hyderabad, since data is available only for a limited period.
The practice of exploding sound emitting firecrackers on religious occasions & weddings,
playing of bands during processions, blowing of horns, operation of generator sets, movement
of traffic (highways, railways and airways), use of public address systems, construction
activities and operation of generator sets increase the ambient noise levels in urban areas.
The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board is monitoring ambient noise levels at six different
places in Hyderabad city and the average noise levels are exceeding the limits at all the
places.
(d) The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published guidelines on occupation and community
noise which is based on specific environment concept. In India, the occupation noise is
governed under the Factory Act, 1948 whereas the ambient noise norms have been notified under
the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
(e) WHO guidelines are in a different conceptual framework than the noise regulations in India.
The various steps undertaken by the Government to control noise pollution include the
following:
1. Implementation of the provisions of The Factory Act, 1948, the Air (Prevention and control
of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 has been
undertaken.
2. The notified noise standards at the manufacturing stage for generator sets, motor
vehicles, select domestic appliances and firecrackers are under implementation by the concerned
authorities.
3. Nodal agencies have been designated for implementation of notified noise norms at
manufacturing stage for generator sets and fire crackers.
4. The blowing of horns, bursting of sound emitted fire crackers, operation of sound
emitting construction equipments, playing of bands, etc. have been restricted during night
time (10.00 pm to 6.00 am) under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.
5. The Central Government has also undertaken the task to create an ambient noise monitoring
network at national level.
6. The various SPCBs,PCCs and CPCB have initiated actions for systematic monitoring of
ambient noise.