Noise in Urban settings

Sound is an important aspect of our lives. There is a variety of sound in our surrounding. Unpleasant sounds are called noise. A person who is exposed to a loud sound continuously may get temporary or even permanent impairing of hearing. Major causes of noise pollution are sounds of Vehicles, explosions including bursting of crackers, machines, loudspeakers etc. In this study noise parameters are recorded in Institutional, Residential, Commercial and Industrial zone of Delhi, India. Delhi, the capital city of India due to urbanization and increase number of vehicles, faces huge noise pollution. Due to increase in use of vehicles along with Air pollution, noise pollution has also increased. In this study the noise parameters like Leq in different zones of Delhi are recorded. These parameters are then compared by the standards prescribed by Central Pollution Control Board. Honking of horns of vehicles was found to be the major source of noise pollution. In all the zones even minimum levels are exceeding the standards of Central Pollution Control Board.