A group of protesters led by activist Sumaira Abdulali held placards to create awareness about noise pollution; they plan to cover Dadar, Andheri and other busy areas
At 2:30 PM, a group of 10 stood at the JJ Circle with placards that had messages against honking even as impatient drivers and motorists ignored the text and horns kept blaring.
Sumaira Abdulali (left) showing the reading of the noise meter at JJ Hospital junction with others holding placards. Pic/Sneha Kharabe
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In a silent protest against the incessant honking that disturbs the silence in the area, which has JJ Hospital at the traffic junction, the group led by environmentalist and founder of the NGO Awaaz Foundation Sumaira Abdulali, stood with placards hoping that people would take notice.
“The JJ area is a silence zone and the permissible sound level is around 50-55 decibels. But clearly, it is much higher here. The traffic police need to step in to ensure that horns don’t blare like this,” said Abdulali while showing the sound level that stood at 102.3 decibels on the sound meter, which she recorded at 2:45 pm.
Zoeb Bootwala, participant and a member of JJ Marg Citizen Welfare Association, said, “If it is 100 plus now, it will be much more in the evenings. Many residents as well as patients in the (JJ) Hospital have problems because of the noise.”
Dadar, Andheri next
Brainchild of Irfan Macchiwala, Mahim resident and businessman, who held the first awareness programme near Mahim dargah on July 22, believes that the city is becoming noisier with every passing day.
“It [the programme] has helped improve the situation [the last time]. The noise levels in Bhendi Bazaar end up giving us a headache. Hence, we decided to launch the campaign here too with the help of our friends,” said Irfan.
Another participant of this campaign, Abdul Kayum Patel, informs that they are planning to carry out a similar protest in Dadar, Bandra, Andheri and other busy areas in the city.
The affected
Dr Prashant Kumar, a trainee doctor from JJ Hospital said, “Patients do get disturbed. Hypertension and blood pressure issues are on the rise due to this noise.”
Kumud Ranjan, whose sister Malani is admitted at the hospital for a kidney stone surgery, said, “My sister finds it tough to rest due to the noise. In the mornings and evenings, it is worse.”
Apart from the patients and senior citizens, the traffic cops manning the busy junction too face the wrath of this menace. In fact, they are the most affected. “My colleagues and I often have headaches and blood pressure issues. There is a fine that we can impose, but when all blow their horns together, we are not sure whom to catch,” said traffic cop Pravin Shinde.
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