A lot of people will agree with the study carried out by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) that puts Bangalore as the seventh noisiest City in the country.
![Mindless use of loudspeakers has added to the increasing decibel level. DH Photos by Janardhan B K]( "Mindless use of loudspeakers has added to the increasing decibel level. DH Photos by Janardhan B K")
Rampant use of loudspeakers, people honking behind the wheel and excessive use of generators because of power shutdown and at public functions, without a thought about the inconvenience these cause to people, are daily reminders of the cacophony that namma Bengaluru has to bear.
A senior officer with the noise pollution monitoring wing of the KSPCB informs, "Areas around Koramangala, Indiranagar, Rajajinagar, Hebbal, Victoria Hospital and Yeshwantpur have all exceeded the required noise level. These are among the noisiest places in the City. Areas around ITPL, Whitefield and Yelahanka are comparatively calmer." When asked about the incessant use of horns and loudspeakers, the official cautions, "Shrill horns cause a deafening effect and can even destabilise the mental state of a driver as it leaves one numb or even in a state of shock. The number of shrill horns are increasing by 20 per cent every year. If the City expands at such a mindless pace, this will go up to 50 per cent every year." He says that the KSPCB has directed the BBMP and police to ensure that loudspeakers are used within permissible limits.
Even the traffic police say that cases registered against vehicles with shrill horns and defective silencers have been increasing at a steady pace. According to the statistics available with the traffic police, cases against use of shrill horns in 2012 (till date) are 11,880 and in 2011, it was about 30,174. Cases against defective silencers stand at 9,189 in 2012 (till date) and in 2011 it was 12,182.
Additional commissioner of police (traffic) M A Saleem points out, "There's not much variation in the usage of shrill horns but we've been catching people with defective silencers, especially two-wheelers, which move around schools and colleges." As for honking, Saleem says, "Honking is not banned but people must restrain from honking too much. We can't stop people from honking."
Undoubtedly, it is the lack of etiquette among Bangaloreans which is adding to the noise pollution levels. People do their own thing and don't care about the repercussions of their act. Amritha Anoop, a systems engineer with TCS, points out that noise pollution is sure to peak with Deepavali round the corner. "Our pets, especially dogs, suffer the most during this period. I have also read about the increased risk of heart attack among the elderly when the noise exceeds the prescribed level," says Amritha. Balenduraj, an IT professional, reasons that honking is a curse that Bangaloreans will have to live with. "It's annoying when people start honking at traffic junctions, as soon as the signal turns green, especially the cab and auto drivers," he says.
Abdul Majeed, a student, feels that the loudspeakers are used rather generously whenever there's a marriage, festival, public functions and birthday parties.
"Loud music is played at all these functions and it is disturbing, especially during exams. People must be a little more sensitive," he avers.
Rampant use of loudspeakers, people honking behind the wheel and excessive use of generators because of power shutdown and at public functions, without a thought about the inconvenience these cause to people, are daily reminders of the cacophony that namma Bengaluru has to bear. A senior officer with the noise pollution monitoring wing of the KSPCB informs, "Areas around Koramangala, Indiranagar, Rajajinagar, Hebbal, Victoria Hospital and Yeshwantpur have all exceeded the required noise level. These are among the noisiest places in the City. Areas around ITPL, Whitefield and Yelahanka are comparatively calmer." When asked about the incessant use of horns and loudspeakers, the official cautions, "Shrill horns cause a deafening effect and can even destabilise the mental state of a driver as it leaves one numb or even in a state of shock. The number of shrill horns are increasing by 20 per cent every year. If the City expands at such a mindless pace, this will go up to 50 per cent every year." He says that the KSPCB has directed the BBMP and police to ensure that loudspeakers are used within permissible limits.
Even the traffic police say that cases registered against vehicles with shrill horns and defective silencers have been increasing at a steady pace. According to the statistics available with the traffic police, cases against use of shrill horns in 2012 (till date) are 11,880 and in 2011, it was about 30,174. Cases against defective silencers stand at 9,189 in 2012 (till date) and in 2011 it was 12,182.
Additional commissioner of police (traffic) M A Saleem points out, "There's not much variation in the usage of shrill horns but we've been catching people with defective silencers, especially two-wheelers, which move around schools and colleges." As for honking, Saleem says, "Honking is not banned but people must restrain from honking too much. We can't stop people from honking."
Undoubtedly, it is the lack of etiquette among Bangaloreans which is adding to the noise pollution levels. People do their own thing and don't care about the repercussions of their act. Amritha Anoop, a systems engineer with TCS, points out that noise pollution is sure to peak with Deepavali round the corner. "Our pets, especially dogs, suffer the most during this period. I have also read about the increased risk of heart attack among the elderly when the noise exceeds the prescribed level," says Amritha. Balenduraj, an IT professional, reasons that honking is a curse that Bangaloreans will have to live with. "It's annoying when people start honking at traffic junctions, as soon as the signal turns green, especially the cab and auto drivers," he says.
Abdul Majeed, a student, feels that the loudspeakers are used rather generously whenever there's a marriage, festival, public functions and birthday parties.
"Loud music is played at all these functions and it is disturbing, especially during exams. People must be a little more sensitive," he avers.