Sound levels everywhere in the capital are double the limit permitted under the Sound Pollution (Control) Rules 2006, revealed a recent survey by Poribesh Bachao
Andolon (Poba), reports UNB. The survey was conducted at 85 spots of different categories and recorded the daytime sound level in ‘silent areas’ at 75-97 decibel,
while the sound levels in ‘residential areas’, ‘mixed areas’ and ‘commercial areas’ were recorded at 76-87 decibel, 73-102 decibel and 71-107 decibel respectively. The
recorded sound levels exceed the approved limits by 150-200 percent. According to the Rules, daytime/nighttime permissible sound levels in decibels are 50/40 (silent
areas), 55/45 (residential areas), 60/50 (mixed areas), 70/60 (commercial areas) and 75/70 (industrial areas). The findings of the survey were revealed at a press
conference at Poba’s office at Kathalbagan in the city on Tuesday. Though the areas falling within a 100-metre distance from hospitals, educational institutions are
considered ‘silent areas’, where the permissible sound level is 50/40 decibels, the Poba survey team recorded 97 decibels in front of Dhaka Shishu Hospital during
daytime. Sound levels in some other ‘silent areas’ under the survey are: 82 decibels and 86 decibels in and outside Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College and
Hospital, 94 decibels near Ajimpur Maternity Hospital, 85 decibels in front of Green Life Hospital at Green Road area, 98 decibels in front of Rajuk College at Uttara
and 80 decibels in front of Labaid Hospital. Sound levels in some ‘residential areas’ are: 87 decibels around Satmasjid Road at Mohammadpur, 82 decibels near
Rayerbazaar Playground area and 76-84 decibels around Dhanmondi 8/A. Among the ‘mixed areas’, the sound level in front of Rajuk Bhaban was 100 decibels, while the
sound levels near GPO, Hotel Ruposhi Bangla, Bangla Motor, Farmgate, Mirpur Section 1 intersection, Bishwaroad were 90, 88, 89, 94, 97 and 100 decibels respectively.
Speaking at the press conference, Poba joint general secretary Engineer Abdus Sobhan demanded proper steps by the authorities to ensure the implementation of the Rules
to curb sound pollution.
-With UNB/The News Today input
