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Noise : The
most Sinister & Forgotten Pollutant
Effects of Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is a serious threat to the quality
of life. If you cannot open your windows, if you cannot watch TV, may
be you are not sick yet, but you are not living a quality life. The noise
induced stress can create severe stress and tension in daily living and
may contribute to mental illness. Apart from the loss of hearing, excessive
noise can cause lack of sleep, irritability, heartburn, indigestion, ulcers
and high blood pressure. The children, the aged and the sick are more
vulnerable to ill effects of noise pollution. Yet noise is the most forgotten
pollutant.
NOISE
POLLUTION (REGULATION & CONROL) RULES
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA NOTIFICATION
Ministry
of Environment and Forests, Government of India, made rules for regulation
and control of noise producing and generating sources, with the objective
of maintaining the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise.
The Govt. of India Notification No. SO 123(E) dated 14th February, 2000
on the subject mentions, inter-alia, a) Industrial activity b) Construction
activity c) Generator sets d) Loud speakers e) Public address systems
f) Music systems g) Vehicular horns, and h) Other mechanical devices,
as the sources of noise, having deleterious effects on human health and
the psychological well being of the people.
A.P. STATE GOVT. ORDER
Andhra Pradesh State Government, as a follow up to the above Notification,
issued an order G.O. No. 227 dated 11th July, 2000 prescribing the authorities
for Zoning of Areas and Implementing the Rules and also specifying the
penalties to be levied on the defaulters.
ZONING OF AREAS
The Director of Town & Country Planning, will identify and notify
the broad boundaries of Industrial Areas, Commercial Areas and Residential
Areas, as applicable in human habitations of the State, giving priority
to Municipal areas.
The Silent Zones around Hospitals, Educational Institutions and Courts
in Municipal areas, will be identified and notified by respective Municipalities
and Corporations. In Silent Zones, signboards shall be raised, mentioning
that "THIS IS A SILENT ZONE" and displaying "NO HORN" sign.
The
ambient air quality standards in respect of Noise for different Zones are
as follows
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Category of
AREA or ZONE
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Limits in Day Time
(6 AM TO 10 PM)
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DB(A) Night Time
(10 PM to 6 AM.)
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Industrial Area
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75
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70
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Commercial Area
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65
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55
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Residential
Area
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55
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45
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Silent Zone
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50
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40
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RESTRICTIONS
A loud speaker or a public address system shall not be used, except
after obtaining a written permission from the police.
A loud speaker or a public address system shall not be used at night
(between 10 PM and 6 AM) except in closed premises for communication within,
viz., auditoria, conference rooms, community halls and banquet halls.
In Silent Zones, the following are not permitted:
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a. |
Playing any music or using any sound amplifiers |
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b. |
Beating of drum or tom-tom or blowing
on either a musical or pressure or trumpet or beats
or sounds of any instrument |
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c. |
Exhibition of any mimetic musical or other
performance of a nature to attract crowds. |
ENFORCEMENT
The noise levels in any area/Zone shall not exceed the ambient air quality
standard in respect of noise as specified above.
The audio systems of vehicles shall not be heard more than seven meters
away from the vehicles.
The authority shall be responsible for the enforcement of noise pollution
control measures and due compliance of the ambient air
quality standards in respect of noise.
AUTHORITIES
FOR IMPLEMENTATION
IN MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS:
The Commissioners of Police and the officers
authorised by them for the purpose, will enforce the standards and Noise
Pollution (R&C) Rules in their respective corporations.
IN DISTRICTS:
The Superintendents of Police of the districts and the
officers authorised by them for the purpose, will enforce these rules
within their jurisdiction.
ROAD TRANSPORT AUTHORITY
will ensure that motor vehicles will not
receive fresh registration or renewal of registration, unless the horn
fitted in the vehicles meets the prescribed standards, and the engine
exhaust silencers are as per specified norms. The RTA will also ensure
that multi-tone horns and accessories for audio alarms/indications, producing
noise beyond permissible limits, are not used by the vehicles.
PENALTIES
The vehicular offenders will be fined Rs.1000 for the first offence and
Rs. 2000 per offence for the subsequent offences. For subsequent offences,
vehicle mounted audio systems and accessories, will be removed and confiscated
in addition to the fine.
The other offenders will be fined Rs.2000 for the first offence and Rs.4000
per offence for subsequent offences. The proven offenders are liable to
be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may be extended to five
years, Or with fine which may be extended to Rs. one lakh (100,000) or
with both.
COMPLAINTS
If the noise level exceeds the ambient standards by 10 dB(A) or more than
the levels specified above, a person may make a complaint to the Authority
(in most cases to the nearest police station).
The Authority shall act on the complaint and take action against the violator
in accordance with the provisions of these Rules and any other Law in
force.
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