Sounds louder than a plane engine on festival’s last day

Pune: The last day of Ganeshotsav on Thursday saw noise levels cross permissible limits for hours at a stretch with the maximum 129.8 dB being recorded at Khandujibaba Chowk at 8 pm, revealed data compiled by a team from the College of Engineering Pune Technological University
Citizens complained about the unbearable noise during the processions. They said many mandals played loud music even on their way back — causing discomfort throughout the night.The average noise level, in and around Laxmi Road, remained at 105.2dB — much above the permissible limit of 55dB in residential areas during the daytime as per the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.
The CoEPTU team was led by assistant professor Mahesh Shindikar. He and his team have been monitoring sound levels at 10 chowks on Laxmi Road for the last 22 years. “The sound of dhol-tasha and speaker systems again crossed 100 dB this year. Such levels are hazardous,” said Shindikar.
Pravesh Biyani, associate professor in the electronics and telecommunication department of the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi, said the noise level due to honking of vehicles is about 70-80 dB, while noise in a cement factory or a drilling site is about 11 dB and that of an aircraft engine is 120 dB. “This is a serious issue and can permanently damage one’s hearing. There needs to be action taken against continuous exposure to loud noise,” he said.
Last year, the maximum noise recorded was 128.5 dB, while the average was the same as this year. According to data, 2023 seems to have recorded the highest noise levels in the last 22 years.
While Maharashtra Pollution Control Board also monitors noise levels during Ganesh festival, officials did not give data and said there was a delay in compiling it because of the public holiday on Friday.
Puneites said restriction-free Ganesh festival as announced by the government led to a large number of mandals playing high-decibel music throughout the procession. “This year, the noise pollution was extreme. Due to the government’s stand, probably the police took no action. For the first time, some mandals played music even on their way back from the immersion,” said Manasi Patil of Narayan Peth.
Sounds beyond permissible limits could cause hearing issues, said Dr Seemab Shaikh — a city-based ENT specialist doctor. “Noise pollution can damage the hearing mechanism. Short bursts of high-intensity sound are also debilitating. It can rupture eardrums and cause tinnitus. Loud sounds can also cause sleep disturbances and palpitations and headaches,” said Shaikh.
Among the worst affected were police constables and officials on bandobast duty during the immersion. They had no option but to endure the noise for hours without a break. A few constables on bandobast duty fainted due to high decibel levels and were taken to hospitals.
Dr Suhas Hardas, a senior cardiologist, said really loud noises can be harmful to the heart. “When there’s a loud sound, it squishes the air around it. The squished air moves superfast and can hurt the heart and other important organs. However, the harm can happen quickly to the heart. If the heart's blood vessels already have some plaque build-up, the squished air can form a clot causing a heart attack,” Hardas said. Also, if someone already has a tendency for irregular heartbeats, loud sounds can make their heartbeats go faster, which can be dangerous.
Hardas also said that studies have shown that loud noises make a part of our brain, called the amygdala, more active. This part of the brain deals with stress, anxiety and fear.