Mumbaikars, you're in for some bad news! Your city has been declared the noisiest city in the country. The latest report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has placed India's financial capital at the first place. Meanwhile, Delhi —long admonished for its dirty air—has something to be (relatively) happy about, as it is ranked fourth, behind Lucknow and Hyderabad.
According to a report in The Times of India, Mumbai breached the safe noise levels - 55 decibels during the morning and 45 dcibels during the night - consistently between 2011 and 2014.
Delhi escaped the dubious distinction, thanks to a greener environment in and around the capital.
According to the CPCB, the most common source of noise pollution is motor vehicles, while other sources like generator sets, office machines, aircraft, industrial and construction activities also contribute to increasing the noise level in the cities.
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) can lead to forgetfulness, depression and even panic attacks, according to the report.
Speaking to Firstpost, Sumaira Abdulali, environmentalist and founder of NGO Awaaz Foundation, said, "Mumbai is a geographically cramped city, so even if a few people come together there is a lot of noise. Also the fact is that the city is India's financial capital compounds the noise problem. New cars are added everyday, and it seems that there is a competition over who will make more noise."
Speaking about the possible solutions to this problem, she added that there is a need to look at the noise pollution element too while developing new infrastructure in urban areas, and an effective action plan must be implemented for reducing noise pollution.
The CPCB report was compiled after collecting data from 35 locations in seven cities. The final results were inferred by averaging the location-wise day time and night time noise level.
It is interesting to know that Mumbai and Delhi are among the noisiest cities in the world. According to a report in India Today, the dubious list also features Tokyo - the most populated city in the word, at number 2, New York at 3 and Spanish capital Madrid at number 4. Cairo, Egypt's capital city, is the noisiest in Africa and the Middle-east.