Reducing noise pollution

Moves to bring in legislation to curb noise pollution have stirred a hot debate as can be seen in the various correspondence in the print media. In terms of the proposed law loudspeakers are to be banned during certain time passages so as not to pose a nuisance to the public.

We are not aware of the full scope of the law. But it would be ideal if the whole gamut of noise pollution is addressed without this being limited to the decibel levels of loudspeakers in places of worship.

The law should be flexible and not stringently applied for special occasions at religious places where loudspeakers are necessary.

However, the decision for some sort of control is understandable given the numerous complaints on the use of loudspeakers particularly in the wee hours that jolt people awake well ahead of their scheduled time of rising.

The intrusion into a peaceful sleep by the sudden blare of loudspeakers in the wee hours of the morning could also have health implications going by the opinions of experts who have expounded on the importance of an uninterrupted rest.

It needs hardly be emphasised that people after a hard day’s work look forward to a peaceful night’s rest and to be bombarded by loudspeakers from the vicinity of his neighbourhood is an infringement of their fundamental rights.

The plethora of musical shows staged in the vicinity of highly residential areas in the city and suburbs today have become a common problem to people who value their sleep. It would be appropriate if the new law stipulates that these shows be shifted to playgrounds or parks well away from public’s earshot.

The law should also go beyond these confines and train its guns on the army of lottery sellers in towns who cause a huge din with their blaring loudspeakers that grate on the nerves of the public. Some pavement hawkers also use megaphones.

There has to be clear guidelines as to the decibel levels of loudspeakers in public places.

We should also think about setting up silent zones as in other countries where any form of sound is barred in stipulated areas such as hospitals and schools.

The subject of sound pollution has come to the fore from time to time where at certain instances the members of the public had even sought court intervention to obtain relief.

The need of a sound free environment for children engaging in their studies have been dwelt upon ad nauseam, but no headway seemed to have been made in tackling the issue.

It would be ideal if steps are taken to eliminate sound pollution emanating from various sources such as the blaring of vehicular horns and the din caused by factories and other industrial complexes which also shatter the tranquillity in residential areas.

True, it is too much to expect an idyllic setting in a milieu of rapid commercialisation and industrialisation, but the Government would do well to create an environment where the people caught up in a vortex of high paced living would enjoy some solace in the embrace of silence.

The proposed Act we hope would full fill this need.