Pro-environment group Poribesh Bachao Andolan (Poba) has said the level of sound pollution in Dhaka has reached alarming levels because of the authorities’ negligence in implementing controlling measures.
A study conducted by Poba throughout Dhaka in November shows that in most places, the level of sound generation is two to three times higher than tolerable limits.
This has in turn been resulting in increasing cases of hearing loss, insomnia, loss of concentration, irritation, high blood pressure, headache and retarded fetal growth, said a Poba press release yesterday.
Although a law was enacted in 2006 for controlling sound pollution, the government was yet to implement it, the release said.
According to the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006, 50 decibel is the permissible level of sound in residential areas during daytime. During nighttime, it is 40 decibel. The study shows that current levels are 76 and 87.
Same are the cases with commercial areas, mixed areas and silent areas.
The law prohibits honking within 100m radius of hospitals, educational institutions and offices and use of brick and stone breaking machines within 500m radius of residential areas. First time offenders can be fined up to Tk5,000 and the second-timers two months’ imprisonment alongside Tk10,000 fine, while an offender can be fined Tk10,000-Tk7 lakh.
Poba also made some recommendations: raise awareness about the side effects of noise pollution, banning import high volume horns, taking actions against factories, repairing vehicles regularly, conducting mobile courts, advertisement in media on the effects of noise pollution, restricting shops from playing music in high volume, setting up signboards to display the permissible limits in silent, industrial, commercial and residential areas, and so on.
