UP's Moradabad Second Noisiest City In World? UN Report 'Is Wrong', Says Official

Other cities from India which recorded a higher decibel than the permissible levels include Delhi ( 83 dB), Kolkata and Asansol (both 89 dB) in West Bengal and Jaipur (84 dB)

New Delhi: A recent report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has placed Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad as the second noisiest city in the world. The UNEP report - 'Frontiers 2022: Noise, Blazes and Mismatches' highlighted the long-term physical and mental health impacts of noise pollution.

Moradabad is a major industrical city and export hub. The handicrafts industry accounts for more than 40 per cent of total handicraft exports from India.

However, an official from Moradabad, has refuted the study by the international environmental body. "The report is wrong. There are no sensors installed by (UNEP) to measure such data here... neither have we received any info about such monitoring," Vikas Mishra, Pollution Control Board, Moradabad, has been quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

<UP | The report is wrong. There are no sensors installed by (UNEP) to measure such data here,neither we received any info about such monitoring: Vikas Mishra, Pollution Control Board,Moradabad on UNEP's report that termed Moradabad as 2nd most noise polluted city globally (28.03) pic.twitter.com/sDMMFs4677

Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka topped the list with a noise level of 119 decibels (dB) while Pakistan’s capital Islamabad was ranked third with the noise pollution level recorded at 105 dB. Interestingly, the top three cities in the list are South Asian countries.   

Other cities from India which recorded a higher decibel than the permissible levels include Delhi ( 83 dB), Kolkata and Asansol (both 89 dB) in West Bengal and Jaipur (84 dB).

The report also highlighted measures that can be implemented to create positive and restorative soundscapes in urban areas.

The data used in the report has been compiled from various published studies that used different methodolgies. "The latest 2018 WHO guidelines established a health-protective recommendation for road traffic noise levels of 53 dB (decibel) based on the Lden indicator, an average noise level during day, evening and night that differs from the LAeq indicator," the report stated.

The UNEP report has mentioned observations from global cities. For instance, "Two 15-year-long studies of long-term residents of Toronto found that exposure to road traffic noise elevated risks for acute myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure, and increased the incidence of diabetes mellitus by 8 per cent and hypertension by 2 per cent," the report said.

"Regular exposure to over 85 dB for an 8-hour day or longer can cause permanent hearing damage. Long-term exposures, even at relatively lower noise levels that are common in urban areas, can also damage both physical and mental health," it has been warned in the report.

Tree belts and use of electric vehicles have been suggested as some recommended solutions.