(a) whether noise pollution levels in most cities is beyond the permissible levels;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Supreme Court has issued any directions/guidelines in regard to noise
pollution;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Government proposes to set up a network for national-level monitoring and
reporting of noise pollution;
(f) if so, the details thereof; and
(g) the steps taken by the Government to check noise pollution?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a)&(b). The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the State Pollution Control Boards(SPCBs)/ Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) have been carrying out sporadic noise monitoring
in urban areas, mainly during festivals such as Deepawali. A few SPCBs and PCCs have initiated
regular noise monitoring since 2008-09. As per available data, the laid down noise norms for
respective zones (Industrial, Commercial, Residential or Silence) are exceeded at many
locations. However, a definite trend can not be ascertained since data is available only for
a limited period.
(c) & (d) Honourable Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No 3735 of 2005 arising out of SLP(c)
No 21851/2003 in Writ Petition (c) No 72 of 1998 vide orders, dated 18.07.2005 directed the
following:-
(i) Complete ban on bursting of sound emitting fire crackers during night time (between 10
pm and 6 am)
(ii) Ban on use of sound emitting instrument or any sound amplifier at night time except in
public emergency
(iii) Ban on use of horn at night time except in exceptional circumstance
(iv) Public awareness campaigns to be organized during festival seasons
(v) State Government to make provision for seizure and confiscation of loud-speakers,
amplifier and other equipments which are found to create noise level beyond permissible limits.
(e) & (f) The Central Government has undertaken the task to create a national ambient noise
monitoring network for urban areas and reporting the data therein, in accordance with the
National Environment Policy-2006.
(g) The various steps undertaken by the Government to control noise pollution include the
following:-
(i) Implementation of the provisions of The Factory Act, 1948, the Air (Prevention and
control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000;
(ii) Implementation of noise standards at the manufacturing stage for generator sets, motor
vehicles, select domestic appliances and firecrackers; and
(iii) Restriction on the blowing of horns, bursting of sound emitted fire crackers, operation
of sound emitting construction equipments, and playing of bands, etc during night time (10.00 pm to 6.00 am).