Latest happenings in making Chennai less noisier!!
Posted on: 03/Mar/2023 8:37:28 AM
It has been more than 2 years since the TN government took the initiative to reduce the noise in Chennai city. The initiative of the government has remained only in the paper till now. The bitter fact is that Chennai is becoming more noisier now.
It must be noted that after CPCB or Central Pollution Control Board announced Chennai as the noisiest metro city across India the state agencies have been trying to provide a scientific solution for the increasing noise pollution. In this scenario, the TN govt has decided to create a noise map and for that noise measuring instruments were needed.
It must be recalled that in 2020-21 GCC sanctioned Rs 1.85 crores for the Chennai police department to buy and install 106 noise measuring instruments at various locations in Chennai.
A report has been submitted by the state government before the principal bench of NGT this week. It was brought out that the project has remained as a nonstarter only till now.
The 2022 study that was funded by the Tamil Nadu government had mentioned that the chennai streets continue to remain noisier with 115 decibels as against the prescribed levels of 60 decibels. One of the reasons for increased noise pollution in Chennai was due to excessive honking by the vehicles on the streets.
It was explained by Mr. C. Pradeep , team member that many motorists were restless at the traffic signals and started honking at the vehicles present in front of them and this after the traffic signal light turns green. No honking campaigns have been intensified by the GCC in Chennai and every month around 600 cases have been registered. It is true that GCTP has been putting huge efforts regarding no honking.
As per a transportation activist Mr. Rengachari, the noise from vehicles alone could lead to noise pollution in Chennai. There are nearly 60lakhs of vehicles in Chennai. Others like construction activities, loud speakers etc also contribute to the noise pollution in the city now. The need of the hour is a systematic approach from the Tamil Nadu govt with respect to the noise pollution.
