Report on Ganpati immersion noise levels (last Day) 14th September 2008

The last day for immersion was particularly noisy after 10pm in many Silence and Residential Zones. Although firecracker use was considerably less compared to previous years, Noise levels increased through use of loudspeakers powered by generators, disco lights and filmi music in addition to or instead of traditional drums, which continued until 12 midnight at decibel levels sometimes exceeding 100 dB and almost always in excess of 90 dB.

The suburbs (Bandra and Juhu and upto Dadar) were noisier compared to the island city. Immersion sites at Chowpatty and Shivaji Park were quiet, while immersion sites at Haji Ali and Juhu allowed loudspeaker and drum use and were noisy.

The major hospital areas were quieter compared to previous years but sporadic violations were noted at almost all major hospital sites including at KEM, Wadia, Jaslok and Breach Candy Hospitals. While this represents a major improvement over previous years, no attempt to control noise at any other Silence Zones including any of the smaller hospitals was apparent.

Loudspeakers and drums were switched off at 12 midnight except at a site adjoining the Police Control Room at Bandra, where they were still on at 12.10 and continuing.

The period of greatest concern continues to be the time between 10 pm and 12 midnight, when processions passing through Silence and Residential Zones do not make any attempt to restrict their noise levels.

Sr No. / Place / Time / Decibel level / Zone / Remarks
1. / Perry Cross Road, Bandra West / 18.30 / 97 dB / Residential Zone / Loudspeaker for azaan
2. / Perry Road, Bandra West / 20.05 / 81 dB / Residential Zone / Drums and frecrackers
3. / Turner Road / 20.07 / 78 dB / Loudspeakers with generator
4. / Bandra Talao opp Ram Mandir / 20.10 / 81 dB / Silence Zone / Drums, firecrackers and loudspeakers accompanied by Police
5. / Opposite Bandra masjid (across road) / 20.12 / 80 dB / Silence Zone / Drums
6. / Dharavi / 20.15 / 80 – 94 dB dB / Sience/Residential Zone / Firecrackers, loudspeakers, drums continuous
7. / Sion Station / 20.31 / 94.4 dB / Loudspeakers with generator
8. / Sion-Dadar / 20.35-20.50 / 80 – 89.9 dB / Sience/Residential ZOnes / Drums, loudspeakers, loudspeakers with generators, continuous
9. / Breach Candy Hospital / 20.57 / dB / Silence Zone / Complaint from resident
10. / Dadar Five Gardens / 21.09 / 80 – 92 dB dB / Silence/Residential Zones / Loudspeakers, loudspeakers with generators, firecrackers
11. / Opp Hanuman Mandir, Wadala / 21.10 / 80dB / Silence Zone / Drums
12. / Wadia Hospital / 21.17 / 82 dB / Silence Zone / Drums with loudspeakers
13. / KEM Hospital / 21.20 / 92.4 dB / Silence Zone / Loudspeakers with generator
14. / Currey Road / 21.28 / 80 dB / Drums
15. / Bawa masjid, Delai Road / 21.28 / 95.2dB / Silence ZOne / Drums, loudspeakers
16. / Jacob Market / 21.34 / 84.3 dB / Drums
17. / K K Marg Saat Rastra / 21.30 / 89.8dB / Loudspeakers
18. / Jacob Circle / 21.33 / 90 dB / loudspeakers
19. / Mahalaxmi / 21.40 / 82.1 dB / Drums
20. / Garware Hospital / 21.42 / 83 dB / Silence Zone / Drums, loudspeakers
21. / Mahalaxmi Temple / 21.44 / 85 dB / Silence Zone / Loudspeakers with generator
22. / Breach Candy / 21.48 / 82 dB / Residential Zone / Loudspeakers and drums
23. / Jaslok Hospital (within 1oo meters but not directly facing hospital) / 21.50 / 95.5 dB / Silence Zone / Loudspeakers with generators and drums
24. / Peddar Road / 21.54 / 94.5 dB / Residential Zone / Loudspeakers and drums
25. / Krantiveer Vasant Naik Cross Road / 21.57 / 110 dB / Residential Zone / Continuous firecrackers
26. / Tardeo / 21.59 / 100.4 dB / Residential Zone / Drums and loudspeakers with generator and firecrackers
27. / Grant Road / 22.05 / 97.3 dB / Residential Zone / Loudspeakers and drums
28. / Shoe Bazaar Grant Road / 22.07 / 95.4 dB / Residential Zone / Loudspeakers and firecrackers on road
29. / Chowpatty (immersion sites) / 22.30-35 / No loudspeakers/drums
30. / Gamdevi / 22.40 / 81.2 dB / Residential Zone / Drums
31. / Haji Ali Causeway / 22.45 / 97.6 dB, 98.7 dB / Loudspeakers with generators, drums
32. / Happy Home for the Blind / 22.51 / 82 dB / Silence Zone / Drums
33. / Worli under flyover / 22.55 / 88 – 93 dB / Reisential Zone / Drums, loudspeakers, continuous
34. / Sasmira / 22.58 / 87 dB / Silencel Zone / Loudspeaker with generator
35. / NHB Workshop for the Blind / 22.58 / 86dB / Silence Zone / Drums
36. / Worli / 23.00 / 85 dB / Residential Zone / Cone type loudspeakers fixed onto residential building
37. / Century Bazaar / 23.02 / 94.7 dB / Residential Zone / Loudspeakers with generator
38. / Siddhi Vinayak Temple / 23.03 / 82 dB / Silence Zone / Drums
39. / Catering College / 23.05 / 81 dB / Silence Zone / Drums
40. / Shivaji Park (immersion site) / 23.10 / 73 dB / No noise
41. / Mahim Causeway / 23.13 / Drums
42. / Bandra next to Police Control Room / 23.15 / 99.9 dB / Residential Zone / Loudspeakers with generators
43. / Linking Road (next Tresorie) / 23.22 / 94 dB / Residential Zone / Loudspeakers with generators
44. / Next Juhu Garden (masjid on corner) / 23.24 / 98.6 dB / Silence Zone / Loudspeakers with generators
45. / Stationery mandal / 23.24 / 90.2 dB / Loudspeakers
46. / SNDT Unversity / 23.25 / 86.0 dB / Silence Zone / Drums and loudspeakers
47. / Juhu Tara Road / 23.28-30 / 97.8 dB, 98.8 dB, 94.8 dB / Residential/Silence Zone / Drums, loudspeakers
48. / Opposite Maneckji Cooper Schoo / 23.30 / 80 dB / Silence Zone / Loudspeakers with generators
49. / Juhu Chowpatty / 23.35 / 95.1 dB 94.1 dB / Loudspeakers with generators, continuous
50. / Next to Bandra Police Control Room (booth of political party) / 23.10 / Loudspeakers

Sumaira Abdulali

Awaaz Foundation

15th September 2008