Residents urge pollution board to regulate construction noise in Kolkata

Time of India

3 days ago

KOLKATA: Citizens of a residential locality in south Kolkata have written to the state pollution control board, urging it to regulate noise pollution from construction activities, similar to how it successfully controlled construction dust pollution.
Among the suggestions provided is the installation of sound suppression barriers at construction sites.
In a letter to the PCB chairman Kalyan Rudra, an office bearer of a residents' association at Hindustan Park, a residential neighbourhood near Gariahat that has acquired a commercial character over the past three decades, pointed out that constant high-decibel noise generated at construction sites in the locality is an assault on the senses.
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Chartered Accountant Nina Ghosh, who lives in Hindustan Park, said the use of jackhammers to cut through concrete or the hammering of piling sheets led to severe noise pollution from early morning till late in the evening.
"It appears as though our homes have also become construction sites. The noise permeates through the walls, making even conversation challenging," she recounted.
In the letter, Pradeep Kakkar, President of Eleven Hindustan Park Owners Association and founder of the environment action group People United for Better Living in Calcutta (PUBLIC), said the issue was not only related to Hindustan Park but several other residential areas in the city and urged the pollution watchdog to address the issue.
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Citing the success that PCB achieved in tackling dust pollution by using dust suppressants, covering materials, and regular water spraying, Kakkar said the PCB should work out similar measures to stop noise pollution.
While acknowledging that construction activity involving grinding, cutting, polishing, and drilling requires heavy-duty/high-speed machines that produce high-decibel noise far in excess of the permissible limit for residential areas, he suggested using multiple measures to contain the noise and avoid disturbing residents.
"There can be reasonable restrictions on timings for construction activities that generate loud noise. Sound mufflers can be used around machines that generate loud noise to prevent the spread of noise. Buffer shields or noise cutters can be installed around the construction site to contain the noise within it," explained Kakkar, who said the issue was relevant not only to Hindustan Park residents but also to those living in other neighbourhoods across Kolkata where old homes were constantly demolished to construct new ones.
PCB Chairman Kalyan Rudra, while terming the suggestions constructive, said it would require research and development by an academic institution or institute. "There are specific guidelines on noise in residential areas. We impose the guidelines, but it is for the civic body and police to enforce them. We have given police decibel meters to check infringements and take necessary action. We have already made the transport of construction waste to recycling plants mandatory," he pointed out.
Kakkar earlier wrote to Municipal Commissioner Dhaval Jain, pointing out that despite houses in Hindustan Park and other localities in south Kolkata being among the highest taxed under the Unit Area Assessment formula citing better infrastructure, the absence of any monitoring and enforcement of construction activities has resulted in these areas becoming almost unliveable.
Sound Pollution Norms
Area Categories and Noise Limits (dB(A) Leq):
- Silence Zone: 50 (day), 40 (night).
- Residential Area: 55 (day), 45 (night).
- Commercial Area: 65 (day), 55 (night).
- Industrial Area: 75 (day), 70 (night).
Suggestions to reduce construction noise
- Use of mufflers around machines like jackhammers to contain noise.
- Use of sound cutters around construction sites to prevent noise from spreading.
- Limit construction activity to daytime with a break in the afternoon to give relief to local residents.
- Check noise levels with decibel meters and take penal action for repeat violations.