In a move to ensure compliance with noise regulations, the Indian Central Pollution Control
Board has initiated the process of developing a noise monitoring network across the country.
Initially, the pollution watchdog plans to install five monitoring stations each in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Lucknow, for which it has already floated global tender.
"We plan to install the 'Real Time Ambient Noise Monitoring' network in seven cities initially. It will consist of 35 stand-alone unmanned remote noise monitoring stations or
systems. Five each stations will be installed in each city on pilot basis," CPCB Chairman SP Gautam said.
He said the network is likely to be commissioned by October 12 in Delhi while for other cities, its installation is expected to be completed only after October.
The network will be extended to 18 more cities in 2011 with five stations in each of them aiming to help create a baseline data and facilitate its analysis for policy-makers and implementing agencies so that the latter can take
appropriate action at regional and national levels.
The initiative follows the road map for systematic monitoring of ambient noise levels announced by Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh in January.
He had called for a systematic monitoring of ambient noise under the National Ambient Monitoring Network Programme (NANMP).
The network would help the government better implement the recently amended Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 according to which the use of construction machines, musical instruments, bursting of noise-emitting
firecrackers and horns beyond permissible limits at nights in residential areas have been made punishable offences.