Rising Noise Levels: A Silent Crisis in Ranchi's 'Silence Zones' During Diwali

The noise level at Ranchi's Old High Court, a designated silence zone, reached 78 decibels during Diwali, significantly surpassing the permissible limit. The Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board highlighted a general spike across various zones, raising concerns about noise pollution regulation and the effectiveness of current noise control measures.

In Ranchi's Old High Court area, a designated silence zone, noise levels reached a concerning 78 decibels on Diwali, marking a 56 percent spike from usual levels, reported officials from the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) on Tuesday.

Data collected by the JSPCB indicated that the Old High Court zone in Doranda locality registered an average noise level of 78 decibels between 6 am and 10 pm on the day of Diwali. The noise remained high at 72 decibels overnight until 6 am the following day, surpassing the permissible limits of 50 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night.

Comparatively, Albert Ekka Chowk and Tupudana areas saw deviations from permissible noise levels, pointing to an overarching issue of noise pollution in Ranchi. Despite restrictions and a two-hour window provided for firecracker bursts, noise levels exceeded prescribed limits, reflecting challenges in noise regulation and enforcement.

(With inputs from agencies.)