Punjagutta is noisiest area in city

It’s official. The constantly busy Punjagutta junction is the noisiest area in the Twin Cities. If the residents of this area are plagued by anxiety or depression, then noise pollution could be one of the contributing factors. After Punjagutta, Abids, Paradise, Charimnar, areas near the Nehru Zoological Park and KBR Park in Jubilee Hills are high on the list of the most noise-polluted areas in Hyderabad. The causes are: steady honking, especially by drivers of heavy vehicles, traffic snarls. But then, there is another common cause that adds to noise pollution, unique and loud ring tones of mobile phones. According to Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) officials, the mentioned areas are polluted due to the movement of a large number of vehicles. Dr K V Ramani, Chief Environmental Scientist, APPCB told Expresso that with an increase in the number of private vehicles in the Twin Cities, the noise pollution also goes up every day. As per noise peak values for the year 2009 (on an average), Punjagutta is the most affected by noise pollution with 86.26 decibels followed by, Paradise 86, Charminar 85.96, Abids at 85.66, Zoo Park 73.30 and KBR Park with 74.73 decibels. They are mentioned as dangerous zones. Ramani says that as per normal standards, 65 decibels in commercial zones and 50-decibel level in sensitive zones are acceptable. “As the APPCB has instructed all industries to set up noise pollution controls, they have been following some rules and there are no complaints from the public,” she said. In sensitive areas (hospitals, courts, police stations, schools and colleges), the decibel level increases every day. “Police are responsible for tackling the problem in sensitive localities. Only when they request us, we go and conduct a research and submit a report to them. Otherwise, we have no right to take action in sensitive areas,” she explains. Ramani says that constant honking, use of generators and loudspeakers are responsible for soaring noise levels in the Twin Cities. The scientist points out that polyphonic ring tones of mobile phones can increase decibel levels. “Lack of awareness and information about the health hazards results in people suffering silently,” she says while pointing out that noise pollution also leads to psychiatric problems such as anxiety and depression. “To reduce noise pollution in the Twin Cities, the only solution is that the people should use the public transport system,” Nagi Reddy, Junior Scientific Officer, APPCB said. BY MOULI MAREEDU