CHAPTER IV NOISE POLLUTION

oise is among the most pervasive that sound limiters are available at Webel pollutants today. Noise negatively affects Mediatronics Ltd., P-1 Taratolla Road, human health and its wellbeing. – 700 088. Problems related to noise include hearing loss, N 2. In order to provide a quiet environment stress, high blood pressure, sleep loss, distraction for students during exams, the Board and lost productivity, and a general reduction has imposed restrictions on noise pollution in the quality of life and opportunities for during the Secondary/Higher Secondary tranquillity. The Pollution Control examination period. The WBPCB, on Board has taken several measures to combat January 17, 2005, has directed all noise pollution. A brief description of the current concerned (including District Magistrates, aspects of noise pollution and the corresponding Superintendents of Police, Deputy actions taken by the Board to combat the same Commissioners of Police, Kolkata) to are given below. refrain from issuing permission for use Steps taken to control noise from of microphones/loudspeakers for open- air functions before three days of the loudspeakers commencement of these examinations The use of loudspeakers is regulated in terms until they get over. Use of sound boxes/ of the Rules under the Environment Protection amplifiers were not allowed within 100 Act (1986) as well as the orders of the Supreme metres of the examination centres. Court and the Calcutta High Court. The Police Department is empowered to enforce these Noise generated from the Diesel rules and orders. The specific steps adopted Generator sets by the Board to restrict noise pollution produced The Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF), from loud speakers are: Government of published the ‘Standards/ 1. The WBPCB has made it mandatory to Guidelines for control of noise pollution from use loudspeakers only when amplifier(s) stationary Diesel generator sets’ vide GSR 7 are attached to sound limiter (s). Time dated 22.12.1998. Subsequently, the MoEF and again, it is brought to public notice notified the ‘Noise limits for Generator sets run

ANNUAL REPORT 2004-2005 69 PART II l CHAPTER IV with petrol or kerosene’ vide GSR 742 (E) dated l To bring to public notice that sound 25.09.2000 and GSR 628 (E) dated 30.08.2001. limiters are available at Webel Following the provisions of these notifications, Mediatronics Ltd. the Board directed that for use of diesel generator set (s) (of capacity 15 KVA & above) for non- industrial purpose, the obtainment of ‘Consent to Establish’ and ‘Consent to Operate’ from the Board is mandatory. The non-industrial purpose includes residential buildings, commercial buildings, office complex, cinema halls, bank, educational institutions etc under its purview. The order is effective from January 1, 2002. According to another landmark notification Noise level restrictions during festive of the MoEF, all diesel generator sets with up occasions to 1000 KVA capacity and manufactured on or Festive occasions demand special vigilance after July 1, 2003 should be provided with over noise pollution. The Government of India integral acoustic enclosure at the manufacturing has enacted noise standards for fire-crackers stage itself. It further states that all other DG sets should be controlled by providing an acoustic vide G.S.R.682 (E), dated October 5, 1999, in enclosure individually or by treating the room an effort to control noise pollution due to fire acoustically at the users’ end. crackers The WBPCB, like other State Pollution Control Boards, have initiated steps to control WBPCB activities to combat noise sale of fire-crackers exceeding the notified limits, pollution in consultation with their respective local As evident, legal instruments to combat noise administrations. pollution are many. However, the need to The Board conducted special vigilance during popularise these legal directions in order to festivals such as the Durga , Kali Puja, , facilitate its enforcement is also important. With Jagaddhatri Puja and New Year’s Eve. Bursting this view, the Board has initiated a drive to of crackers is a major nuisance during this time restrict noise pollution in the state. As part of of the year. To check the level of pollution its campaign strategy, the Board has brought produced from firecrackers, the Board has banned into notice some important messages that are of interest to the general public: the use or sale of noisy fireworks (such as Chocolate Bomb, Chain Crackers (Kali Patka), l To avoid honking around educational Loose Crackers, Kali Patka, Dhani Patka, Dodoma, institutions, hospitals and courts; Seven Shots, Rocket Bombs etc) that generate l To shun use of loudspeakers after 10 noise more than 90 dB (AI) at a distance of 5 at night and before 6 in the morning; metres from the point of bursting. l To follow the legal ban on the use and Moreover, to have a clear idea about the sale of air horns; increase of ambient noise level in residential l To maintain tranquillity in the forest areas areas in the city of Kolkata and other district by not using microphones or town during festivals, the Board undertook a loudspeakers in Sundarbans or other forest noise monitoring survey. Monitoring teams areas of West Bengal; surveyed the streets and crowded spots for l To use loudspeakers only when monitoring the noise level. Also, in order to aid amplifier(s) are attached to sound the general public, a Central Control Room located limiter(s); and 70 ANNUAL REPORT 2004-2005 NOISE POLLUTION at the head office and other control rooms located in various residential areas in the city of Kolkata at the Regional Offices (at Haldia, Hooghly, and on the Kali Puja/ Deepavali day , Durgapur, Asansol and Siliguri) in comparison to any normal day. The main remained operational from afternoon to midnight cause of increase in ambient noise level on on all festive days. All complaints received at festival days is bursting of crackers, whereas the control rooms of the Board were immediately in normal days, the main contributions to the communicated to the Police authorities for taking ambient noise level of any residential area are necessary action. from trade activities, transport system and various domestic activities. The main observations are Report of assessment of Noise Pollution survey in Kolkata during summarised below. Kali Puja Festival in 2004 i. The increase of the noise level at the selected locations on the day of Kali Noise Pollution Survey procedure Puja compared to a normal day in 2004 Fire crackers generate instantaneous impulsive varies from 4 to 14 per cent. This is noise, which when measured in free field higher compared to the noise level of condition in impulsive mode, gives peak sound 2003, but much lower in some locations pressure level. It is quite obvious that a number compared to 2002. of crackers when bursting serially can easily form a band of continuous noise in the presence ii. Compared to 2003, there is an increase of reflecting surfaces. The reverberation of sound in the noise level in 50 per cent of the wave due to repeated reflection in the surfaces sample locations, which varied from 5 prolongs the time interval of prevailing sound to 10 per cent (at the locations in northern intensity. The continuous band of noise, thus parts of Kolkata), where as in the formed, definitely affects the ambient level in remaining sample locations, there was close proximity. reduction of noise level varying from 2 to 11 per cent (in the southern part of The monitoring was conducted at eleven the city). The increase of noise level in selected locations such as Salt Lake, Lake Town, Howrah during 2004 as compared to , Beliaghta, , Minto Park, 2003 was observed to be 3 per cent , , Rabindra Sarani, Talapark and Howrah Maidan, on a normal working day, only. between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The iii. A more or less similar trend as indi- microphone of the Sound Level Meter fitted cated at (ii) is observed during 2004 with windscreen was placed 1.5m above the when compared to the 2002 data. ground, and at least 1m from the façade of the Awareness campaign and specific building at each location. Data recorded at each measures location were used to compute the one-hour equivalent continuous noise level Leq. At the The WBPCB has given wide publicity to same locations, the above procedure was the Supreme Court’s direction on the use of repeated on the Kali puja day (11.11.04). fireworks only between 6.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m. through Electronic and Print Media. In Results of noise pollution survey addition, requests were made to the cellular The noise survey results in 2004 reveal operators for sending an awareness message moderate increase in the ambient noise level ‘Say NO to CRACKERS: Celebrate Deepavali

ANNUAL REPORT 2004-2005 71 PART II l CHAPTER IV

TABLE 2.4.1 COMPARISON OF NOISE LEVEL IN A NORMAL DAY WITH KALIPUJA DAY

Location Noise Level in dBLAeq 2002 2003 2004 Normal Kali Percen- Normal Kali Percen- Normal Kali Percen- Day Puja tage Day Puja tage Day Puja tage (before Day increase (before Day increase (before Day increase Kali Kali Kali puja) puja) puja)

Salt Lake- 65 70 7 65 67 3 67 74 10 Sector-III Lake Town- 67 75 11 69 72 4 69 79 14 B Block Kankurgachi- 68 74 8 67 71 5 67 75 12 Scheme VIIIM CIT 67 78 13 70 75 7 73 79 8 Building Behala- Biren 68 80 17 73 78 6 70 74 6 Roy Road Minto Park- 74 85 14 77 82 6 70 73 4 Sarat Bose Road Kalakar Street- 73 76 4 74 75 1 76 79 4 Burrabazer Jadavpur 8B 71 79 11 72 74 2 67 70 4 Bus Terminus Rabindra Sarani- 72 81 12 74 77 4 69 75 9 Ganesh Takie Talapark- 67 76 13 68 72 5 65 70 8 Howrah Maidan 7 3 7 8 6 7 4 7 6 2 7 4 7 8 5

TABLE 2.4.2 COMPARISON OF NOISE LEVEL IN KALIPUJA DAY DURING 2003 & 2004

Location Noise Level in dBLAeq 2003 2004 Percentage Increase Salt Lake- Sector-III 67 74 10 Lake Town- B Block 72 79 10 Kankurgachi-Scheme VIIIM 71 75 6 Beliaghata CIT Building 75 79 5 Behala- Biren Roy Road 78 74 –5

72 ANNUAL REPORT 2004-2005 NOISE POLLUTION

TABLE 2.4.2 Contd.....

Location Noise Level in dBLAeq 2003 2004 Percentage Increase Minto Park- Sarat Bose Road 82 73 –11 Kalakar Street- Burrabazer 75 79 5 Jadavpur 8B Bus Terminus 74 70 –5 Rabindra Sarani- Ganesh Takie 77 75 –2 Talapark- Belgachia 72 70 –3 Howrah Maidan 76 78 3

TABLE 2.4.3 COMPARISON OF NOISE LEVEL IN KALIPUJA DAY DURING 2002 & 2004

Location Noise Level in dBLAeq 2002 2004 Percentage Increase Salt Lake- Sector-III 70 74 6 Lake Town- B Block 75 79 5 Kankurgachi-Scheme VIIIM 74 75 1 Beliaghata CIT Building 78 79 1 Behala- Biren Roy Road 80 74 - 7 Minto Park- Sarat Bose Road 85 73 -14 Kalakar Street- Burrabazer 76 79 4 Jadavpur 8B Bus Terminus 79 70 -11 Rabindra Sarani- Ganesh Takie 81 75 - 7 Talapark- Belgachia 76 70 -8 Howrah Maidan 7 8 7 8 0 with lamps, candles and fireworks.’ to their lac pieces of prohibited fireworks. About 13 customers. The WBPCB had also arranged to persons were arrested during the operation. display 100 festoons in 100 places as well as Similarly, a large number of prohibited fire works distributed leaflets (related to various legal were seized on Kali Puja and Diwali. restrictions) at crowded spots in Kolkata for public awareness. Analysis of Complaints In 2004, the WBPCB conducted a large A central Control Room was set up at the number of inspections during October and Head Office of WBPCB at Paribesh Bhawan, November at the various fireworks manufacturing Salt Lake, Kolkata on the days of Kali Puja and units in association with the District Police Diwali, from evening to late night to receive Authority, and seized more than 500 Kgs and 5 complaints. In addition, control rooms were set

ANNUAL REPORT 2004-2005 73 PART II l CHAPTER IV up in the Regional Offices of the Board at Haldia, The following observations were made from Hooghly, Barrackpore, Durgapur, Asansol and the nature of complaints received. Siliguri. 1. Compared to 2003, the Board received a higher number of complaints on both TABLE: 2.4.4 the Kali Puja and Diwali. These may COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN THE 2003 & 2004 IN THE CONTROL ROOM OF be due to increased awareness among PARIBESH BHAWAN the public about the Board’s direction and/or higher violation of noise pollution Year Kali Following Total no. of norms. Puja Day day (Diwali) complaints received in 2. On Kali Puja, the maximum numbers two days of complaints were received from the 2003 40 20 (till 60 West Bengal Police areas, while on the 9.45 p.m.) day of Diwali, the maximum number 2004 71 78 (till 149 of complaints were received from the 12.45 a.m.) area.

TABLE: 2.4.5 NATURE OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN 2004

Festival Days Kolkata Police area West Bengal Police Complaints Complaints in 2004 area against against bursting of playing of crackers loudspeakers

Kali Puja Day 21 (Cossipur, , 50 (, 62 (33)* 09 (07)* (11.11.04) Bhawanipur, Gariahat, Purba Jadavpur, Manicktola, Beliaghata, Baguihati/, etc.) Sibpur, Kasba, , , Khardha, , , , , Lake Town, , Sonarpur etc.) Diwali Day 40 (New Market, 38 (, 68 (14)* 10 (06)* (12.11.04) ,Bhawanipur, Jadavpur, , Gariahat, Burtolla, Batra, Dasnagar, , Kalighat, Belghoria, Golabari, , Bidhannagar, , , Regeant park, Manicktala, Cossipur, , Bally, , Kareya, Dum Dum, Bizpur, , Beliaghata, Lake Town etc.) Burrabazar, Phulbagan, etc.) * Figures in brackets indicate the number of complaints received in 2003

74 ANNUAL REPORT 2004-2005 NOISE POLLUTION

Brief report on Status of Road Traffic Approach, Moulali and Hazra. The trend Noise Levels during summer and at these three locations may be due to winter of 2004 in Kolkata increase in the vehicular traffic along with the increase in honking in those In the year 2004-2005, a study was undertaken areas compared to 1999. to assess the impact of road traffic noise on the ambient noise level in the city during summer 2. During 2004, the 24 hour equivalent

(May-August 2004) and winter (December 2004- continuous noise levels (Leq24) are February 2005). considerably less in comparison to 1993 summer values. Results 3. During 2004, the day time equivalent 1. The temperatures of the monitoring continuous noise level (LD) values are locations varied between 24-39 degree less compared to 1999 and 1993 values celsius during summer and 12-33 degree except in two locations, namely Howrah celsius during winter, whereas humidity Bridge Approach and Moulali. levels varied between 46-100 per cent and 24-96 per cent in the respective 4. During 2004, the night time equivalent seasons. continuous noise level (LN) values are less compared to 1999 and 1993 values 2. The total traffic count in pre-selected except in two locations, 30 monitoring locations was 7,75,068 Approach and Hazra. in summer and 7,52,287 in winter. The highest and lowest total traffic count in Winter season (December 2004- both the seasons were observed in JLN February 2005) monitoring Nehru Road-AJC Bose Road Crossing During 2004, the 24 hour equivalent and Nagerbazer. Car and taxi were the continuous noise levels (L 24) are considerably dominant traffic components in almost eq less in all the monitoring locations in comparison all the monitoring locations except in to 1994 winter value. Esplanade where bus was dominant. 1. During 2004, the day time equivalent 3. The total traffic volume in the Central continuous noise level (LD) values are Business District (CBD) was much more less compared to 1994 winter values. than that in North and South Kolkata. 2. During 2004, the night time equivalent Traffic volume in the north was lower continuous noise level (LN) values are than that in the south. less compare to 1994 winter values. 4. The total honking events in the CBD The number of honking during 2004 were much more than in the north and summer and winter studies have increased south. The honking events in the north at particular traffic intersections such as J.N. were lower than that in the south. Rd.-A.J.C. Bose Rd. Crossing, Chowranghee- Summer season (May-August 2004) Park St. Crossing, B.B.D. Bag, , Gariahat, Howrah Bridge Approach etc. The monitoring highest number of honking recorded is 22168 1. During 2004, the 24 hour equivalent in 24 hours during summer, and 19268 during

continuous noise level (Leq24) are slightly winter at J.N. Rd.-A.J.C. Bose Road traffic less in comparison to 1999 summer value intersection. This contributed to the increase with some exception at monitoring in ambient noise level of Kolkata, apart from locations such as Howrah Bridge creating annoyance to the public.

ANNUAL REPORT 2004-2005 75 PART II l CHAPTER IV

TABLE 2.4.6 COMPARISON OF NOISE LEVELS DURING SUMMER

Monitoring Leq 24 LD LN Location 1993 1999 2004 1993 1999 2004 1993 1999 2004

Dunlop 92.0 67.0 67.5 93.7 77.0 67.9 84.3 73.1 65.1 Chiria More 90.3 67.6 66.3 91.8 78.0 66.9 85.2 71.1 62.6 92.1 70.3 67.3 93.5 79.7 68.5 87.4 77.7 56.4 91.1 69.0 68.4 92.8 78.8 69.1 83.7 75.8 64.0 Ultadanga 88.5 68.2 69.2 90.4 78.6 70.2 79.3 72.0 60.9 Manicktola 87.5 71.0 68.8 89.0 81.0 69.6 82.3 77.2 62.7 Howrah Bridge 85.1 72.9 95.7 86.7 83.1 96.9 79.3 78.3 76.4 Approach 86.8 70.1 71.5 88.5 79.9 72.2 80.4 76.7 66.7 86.8 70.3 70.3 88.4 80.9 70.6 80.4 72.6 68.0 B.B.D.Bag 84.4 70.3 71.1 86.1 80.3 71.8 77.5 74.2 66.8 Esplanade 85.5 80.3 68.1 87.2 80.8 68.9 77.8 73.3 62.8 Moulali 86.3 71.4 93.2 87.9 81.7 94.4 80.7 76.1 71.1 Hazra 84.0 68.1 77.6 89.6 78.7 78.7 77.8 69.7 68.1 Jadavpur 82.2 89.5 76.8 83.8 80.4 77.9 76.0 77.1 67.1 83.0 69.2 70.9 84.6 79.9 71.6 77.1 70.4 66.7

TABLE 2.4.7 COMPARISON OF NOISE LEVEL DURING WINTER

Monitoring Leq24 LD LN Location 1994 2004 1994 2004 1994 2004

Dunlop 86.0 69.4 87.7 70.3 80.0 63.1 Chiria More 84.8 66.8 86.3 67.1 79.9 64.7 Nagerbazar 85.3 69.1 87.1 70.0 75.5 62.0 Shyambazar 82.5 70.8 83.4 71.6 80.1 66.1 Ultadanga 81.8 70.5 83.5 71.6 75.6 61.5 Manicktola 84.5 68.1 86.1 68.1 78.4 66.7 Ganesh Talkie 84.8 68.3 86.5 69.0 78.1 63.6 Howrah Bridge 87.6 80.2 89.0 81.2 83.3 72.8 Approach

76 ANNUAL REPORT 2004-2005 NOISE POLLUTION

TABLE 2.4.7 Contd....

Monitoring Leq24 LD LN Location 1994 2004 1994 2004 1994 2004

Sealdah 84.8 66.2 86.2 67.2 80.5 57.7 Bowbazar 81.7 69.6 83.3 70.7 75.8 59.4 B.B.D.Bag 81.3 72.9 82.5 73.9 78.2 65.9 Esplanade 80.7 69.6 82.3 70.2 74.3 65.6 Moulali 85.2 78.8 86.7 79.9 79.7 68.6 82.8 75.6 84.4 76.5 77.4 69.4 82.8 74.8 84.6 75.6 75.3 68.5 J.N.Road–AJC Bose Road 83.1 80.3 83.5 81.3 77.0 71.4 Crossing Khidirpur 81.1 68.8 82.2 69.7 78.0 62.8 Hazra 83.6 74.2 85.4 75.2 76.1 66.5 Gariahat 79.7 78.1 80.9 79.2 75.2 67.3 Rashbehari 79.5 68.7 80.1 69.7 74.6 61.7 Taratola 84.7 71.9 86.2 73.0 79.5 63.3 Jadavpur 83.0 74.5 84.1 75.7 79.9 61.7 Behala 14 No. 81.9 75.0 82.6 76.1 77.8 64.8 Bus Stand Garia 82.6 68.0 83.7 68.7 75.2 63.4

Leq 24 = 24hours equivalent continuous noise level in dBA, LD = day time equivalent noise level i.e. LA16h

LN = night time equivalent noise level i.e. LA8h

Training Programmes on noise pollution organised by the WBPCB For effective control of noise pollution, the Board conducted seven training programmes on noise pollution monitoring and control techniques. A total of 159 participants, who attended training programmes included the officials of the West Bengal Police, Kolkata Police and Motor Vehicles Inspectors (Annexure V). These training-cum-Awareness Programmes on Environment included features like lectures, audio- visual shows and technical sessions. Training Programme on Noise Pollution

ANNUAL REPORT 2004-2005 77