Ah, Mumbai! The city of dreams, Bollywood, and… earplugs? If you’ve ever set foot in this
bustling metropolis, you know that silence is about as rare as finding a vacant auto-rickshaw
during rush hour. Welcome to the city where the honking never stops, and where “peace and
quiet” is just a phrase you read about in dusty old books.
The Decibel Dilemma
According to recent studies, the average noise levels in many parts of the city consistently
exceed 85 decibels. To put that in perspective, it’s like having a blender permanently running
next to your ear. Smoothie, anyone?
But what’s causing this audio assault on our senses? Let’s break it down:
- Traffic Cacophony : Mumbai’s roads are a battlefield, and every vehicle is armed with a horn.
It’s as if drivers believe honking will magically clear traffic jams. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. - Construction Chaos: The city is perpetually under construction. It’s like Mumbai is going
through an endless adolescent growth spurt, complete with the accompanying growing pains –
and noise. - Loudspeakers : From morning to night loudspeakers will intrude a minimum 5 times a day.
The only folks who can’t seem to hear them are the police and politicians. - The Great Railway Rumble : With millions of commuters daily, our local trains are not just the
lifeline of Mumbai; they’re also a major contributor to the city’s soundtrack of chaos. On a recent
train journey I measured the decibel level. It ranges from 79 db to 86 db. Metro rides are also
near that range – noise of the metro in motion and the incessant overhead announcements. - Airplane Ambiance: Living near the airport? Congratulations! You now have a front-row seat
to the world’s loudest air show, running 24/7.
The Not-So-Silent Killer
But here’s the kicker – this isn’t just about annoyance. Noise pollution is a serious health
hazard. It’s linked to stress, hypertension, hearing loss, and even cardiovascular diseases. From
infants to senior citizens the physical and mental health of every age group is affected. It’s like
Mumbai is serving up a cocktail of health problems, with a generous splash of decibels. Noise
pollution in Mumbai is now at a crisis level.
Turning Down the Volume: Possible Solutions
So, what can we do about this auditory apocalypse? Here are some ideas: - Honk-Free Rides : Implement strict no-honking areas. Violators could be sentenced to listen
to nonstop recordings of their own honking for 24 hours. That’ll teach them! In general, resist the
urge to honk. It doesn’t solve any problem. It creates many for you and others in the vicinity.
When you take a taxi or auto ask the driver to not honk. This, done daily by lakhs of citizens will
add up to a quieter and healthier city. - Green Barriers: Plant more trees along roads. They not only absorb sound but also provide
shade for those inevitable traffic jams. Air quality will improve and summers will be less brutal.
Win-win! - Quieter Construction: Enforce stricter regulations on construction timings and noise levels.
Maybe we could introduce “Silent Sundays” where the only construction allowed is Lego
building. - Festival Finesse : Encourage eco-friendly festivals and quieter calls to prayers. It’s time to
make “shhh” the new cool. - Public Awareness: Use our posters to raise awareness about the health hazards of noise
pollution. Get a copy of the Noise In Our Nation book. You will get the information and
inspiration to be Guardian of Silence. - Noise-Canceling City : Invest in urban planning that incorporates sound-absorbing materials
and designs. Imagine a city where the buildings eat sound for breakfast!
The Sound of Progress
Implementing these changes won’t be easy. It’s like trying to convince a Mumbaikar that vada
pav isn’t the perfect food – challenging, but not impossible. We need a collective effort from the
government, civic bodies, and citizens.
The good news is that awareness is growing. More people are speaking up (ironically) about the
need for quiet.
A Quieter Tomorrow?
As we look to the future, can we imagine a Mumbai where the dominant sounds are chirping
birds, gentle sea waves, and the occasional whisper of “Aamchi Mumbai”? It might seem like a
far-off dream, but then again, so did the idea of getting from Bandra to Worli in 10 minutes
before the Sea Link was built.
So here’s to hoping for a Mumbai where we can hear ourselves think, where “peace and quiet”
isn’t just a punchline, and where the only thing that takes our breath away is the beauty of the
city, not its decibel levels.
Savitha Rao