Dhaka’s Noise Pollution
Sound level double at many points
The existing sound levels at different places in the capital are nearly double the permissible level, speakers said quoting a survey report at a discussion yesterday.
As per the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006, the noise level should remain within 50 decibels.
Najnin Kabir, project officer of Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust, quoting the survey report said traffics at Sayedabad are exposed to 102 decibels, at Banglamotor to 92 decibels, Farmgate 93 decibels, Mohakhali 98 decibels, Tejgaon 95 decibels, Gulistan 92 decibels, Motijheel 93 decibels and Dhanmondi residential area to 101 decibels.
Due to lack of enforcement of rules, noise pollution continues unabated especially in urban areas, worsening physical and mental health of the people, the speakers said.
Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikdar said besides creating awareness among people, the government is thinking of enforcing sound pollution control rules with the help of traffic police.
Sobhan made the remarks while inaugurating the four-month-long programme titled “Reduction of Sound Pollution and Traffic Congestion Near Hospitals and Educational Institutions” at the auditorium of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
MATT-2 Programme of Establishment Ministry and Coalition Against Pollution (CAP), jointly started the programme in the capital from November 1 in line with the noise pollution control rules.
Vice Chancellor Prof Pran Gopal Datta of BSMMU in his speech said sound pollution damages our hearing capability and also causes insomnia, hypertension and heart diseases.
Two kinds of noise pollutionoccupational and non-occupational–are generally recognised, he added.
Some people are exposed to constant threats of sound pollution in their working places especially at industries while others are exposed to traffic and other sources of noise pollution.
Speakers observed that traffic police, industry workers and drivers are the worst sufferers of sound pollution.
Quoting the survey, Najnin Kabir also revealed that around 80 percent traffic police in India gradually lose their normal hearing capacity due to sound pollution.
As per the noise pollution (control) rules, hospitals, educational institutions, offices and courts are designated as silent zones and honking within 100 metres of these places is prohibited.
The rules also made provision for punishment to stop noise pollution. The sentence includes a maximum of one-month jail term or fine of Tk 5,000 or both for the first time offence. For repeated offence, the punishment would increase to the maximum of six months’ jail term or fine of Tk 10,000 or both.
Magistrate Tapan Kumar Nath moderated the discussion with BSMMU VC in the chair.
