With an ear on Italian tech,BMC to conduct noise mapping in city

“We are planning to implement the sound barrier technologies after we conduct the noise mapping analysis. It is important that we find out the areas where sound barriers are needed,” said Kumar. He said the civic administration will also send its engineers and officials to study the noise reduction techniques in Italy.

While the MMRDA is planning to instal the sound barrier technology on the B R Ambedkar flyover in the first phase,BMC will be able to set up sound barriers on its flyovers,roads and other places once the detailed analysis is finished.

“The officials visited Italy to study the noise management. Noise management techniques are very effective in European countries and all the public agencies are planning to adopt those technologies after the noise mapping studies. The sound barriers are made of a transparent Italian material and used in the European standard expanded clay technology. We will soon appoint a consultant to study the noise levels on the MMRDA region and plan the need for sound barriers,” said Dilip Kawathkar,MMRDA spokesperson.

Officials said the noise barriers will be made of steel,plastic and mixed alloys of which some will absorb noise and some will deflect it.

The MMRDA had installed sound barriers at the Bandra-Kurla Complex on a pilot basis early last year,which officials claimed had reduced noise levels in adjoining buildings. However,activists said such a technology has stopped the flow of light and air at many spots in the area.

According to Sumaira Abdulali,environmental activist and convener of anti-noise Awaaz Foundation,“Not only the BMC and MMRDA but all public agencies need to conduct noise mapping using a proper technology. Anyone can use a noise meter,take readings of sound levels and gather random data. What one needs is an effective study to not only record the noise levels but also gauge the extent to which a certain sound barrier will be beneficial. For example,the sound barriers at the J J Flyover restrict noise on the flyover,but there is high level of noise pollution below the flyover,which affects the residents and shopkeepers.”

“The need for a sound barrier should be analysed based on the land use pattern,for example in Shivaji Park and other open spaces,commercial spaces,roads bridges,” Abdulali added.