In a significant move towards addressing noise pollution concerns, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) is set to install seven 24-hour real-time noise monitoring stations in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The initiative is part of Phase II of the National Ambient Noise Monitoring Network (NANMN) by the Central government.
The four stations in Pune will be strategically located at Savitribai Phule Pune University, Hadapsar Industrial Area near Honeywell Industries, Karve Road near Katraj Dairy, and Rose Garden near Bhosari. In Pimpri-Chinchwad, three stations will be set up near Dange Chowk, and in the limits of Jagtap Dairy and Pimple Nilakh.
This development comes after the successful implementation of similar stations in Mumbai during Phase I of the NANMN. Despite initial delays, MPCB has secured the necessary approvals for the chosen locations in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
The selection of these locations adheres to the guidelines set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), considering factors such as residential, commercial, industrial, and silence zones. Extensive consultations with the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) were conducted to identify areas with notable noise pollution.
The noise monitoring stations, equipped with devices ranging from 4 to 10 meters in height, will measure noise levels daily from 6 to 10 p.m. and during the night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The data, recorded at one-second intervals, will be analyzed both monthly and annually to gauge pollution levels. The information will be transmitted automatically to CPCB’s central receiving stations.
Senior MPCB officials assert that the data collected will aid in identifying solutions to address specific noise-related issues. In industrial areas, recommendations may include the use of acoustics to mitigate noise levels, while in traffic-prone zones, advisories and fines for excessive honking may be proposed.
With these ambient noise monitoring stations, MPCB aims to curb noise pollution in the city and plans to install more based on the findings from the initial stations.
