Dhaka too noisy

The capital's noise pollution is driving its citizens crazy. The most common sources of noise pollution here are the constructions and transportations on the roads.

Despite having a law to check the pollution, city dwellers, especially the heart patients, senior citizens and children, have no respite from noise, as loud sound from construction sites and automobile honks are ruling all over.

Such environment is affecting people's health and behaviour.

According to the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2006, motor honking within a 100-metre radius of a hospital, school and office is prohibited. The rules also do not allow use of brick crushers and cement mixers within 500-metre radius of a residential area. Besides, prior permission is mandatory for using loudspeakers or megaphones.

The law has provisions to punish the first-time offenders with a maximum of one month's jail or Tk 5,000 in penalty or both. For the second-time offenders it is six months' jail or Tk 10,000 fine or both.

But lack of proper enforcement of this law has kept the capital seriously exposed to noise pollution, which is rapidly decreasing the quality of life here.

Against such backdrop, green activists yesterday demanded mobile courts for taking actions against the noise polluters. They demanded that the traffic police were also given the power to enforce the law alongside the Department of Environment (DoE).

They also demanded that licences of those vehicles that are capable of honking beyond the permissible decibel are cancelled during their fitness checking.

The demands came at a human chain formed in front of the Department of Fine Arts at Dhaka University. Save the Environment Movement and United Peace Foundation jointly organised the demonstration.

Speakers at the human chain said noise pollution causes headache and irritation that make people suffer from depression and anxiety. Excessive sound also interrupts people's attention to their works. Continuous exposure to noise pollution increases heartbeat and the risk of cardiac arrests.

Noise pollution in the long run also affects hearing ability and increases secretion of stress hormone, which leads to a rise in blood pressure, added the speakers.

They also demanded coordination between the DoE and the traffic department to stop noise pollution and strengthen the monitoring system in every road of the capital.

The speakers urged people to be aware of noise pollution.

Ifma Hossain, director general of Peace, presided over the human chain.