Everybody knows that the rate of growth in private vehicles will worsen traffic congestion and air quality in our cities. There is no longer any doubt that our cities are faced with poor management of transport systems. Coupled with the added irresponsibility on the part of vehicle users, there is already an unsustainable increase in air and noise pollution.

There was however no debate on the increasing levels of noise pollution from traffic. And yet noise pollution is a reality and is an established cause for several health conditions such as poor concentration, deafness or loss sleep and psychological well-being. According to WHO, exposure to noise such as from traffic is strongly associated with disease and premature death. A study from the UK in 2006 has concluded that one in three coronary heart diseases is linked to chronic noise exposure.

Owing to limited spaces in our cities, and improper planning there are no clear demarcations between our living, trading and traveling spaces.

Hapless citizens in India are also subjected to high-decibel assaults every waking hour and often beyond. Increased traffic movement and horn-happy road users together with the other activities associated with urbanization, such as construction, contribute to intense noise pollution, which often insidiously impacts on their psyche and leads to poor health conditions particularly of those already living and working in impoverished conditions.

WHO has fixed 45 decibels as the safe noise level for a city. Metropolitan areas in India usually register an average of more than 90 decibels. Experts believe that continuous noise levels in excess of 90 decibels can cause loss of hearing and irreversible changes in nervous systems. Despite growing evidence and awareness amongst the medical profession in India and the fact that it is actionable as a ‘public nuisance’, which is punishable under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, as well as under Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, there exists a real and complete apathy towards noise pollution.

The Motor Vehicles Act, 1939 empowers the State Government to frame rules, regulate equipment and maintenance of motor vehicles and trailers. These include regulations to prevent noise pollution by such motor vehicles. The 1987 amendments to the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 regard noise as an air pollutant and give powers with regard to the prevention and control of noise pollution, which include the laying down of noise standards. India’s Supreme Court has banned the use of horns, loud music and bursting firecrackers after nightfall in residential areas through a ruling in 2005. Honourable Supreme Court of India already stated that “No one shall beat a drum or tom-tom or blow a trumpet or beat or sound any instrument or use any sound amplifier at night [between 10pm and 6am], except in public emergencies". While there are clear laws to address noise pollution, the problems arise while enforcing them and offenders get away with ease.

The present levels of noise in Nashik are unacceptable and are a serious threat to our economic, social and environmental well being. It is time for governments to recognize that increased levels of activity and traffic around the city must not be confused with increased prosperity, but rather as progress that is costing dear to its people in terms of health. It is high time that we take the appropriate steps to get this problem well under our control.

It is time for citizens of Nashik to come together, form watch-dog committees and monitor traffic noise in their areas. They must call for a serious inquiry and ensure that noise makers are levied heavy penalties. Digitized noise maps, scientific measurements of noise levels and monitoring the physical and psychological health of people exposed to loud noise on a daily basis are urgently called for. Local print and television media must play a much more active role in raising awareness on the growing menace of noise pollution.

Noise pollution is just one piece in the larger jigsaw of pollution of our natural resources – land water and air - all of which requires serious attention.