Worli Residents Demand Sound Barriers Amid Coastal Road Noise
Mumbai: The residents of Worli have raised alarms over escalating noise pollution caused by high-speed vehicles on the Mumbai Coastal Road, particularly during late-night hours. These complaints, primarily from those living along Worli Sea Face and neighbouring areas, are focused on the disruptive sound created by vehicles speeding past, especially those fitted with noisy mufflers.
A retailer living in a building on Worli Sea Face, which is now part of the Coastal Road corridor, expressed his frustration with the ongoing disturbance. “On several occasions, particularly between 10 PM and 12 AM, fleets of noisy cars make the area unbearable,” Shah wrote in a letter addressed to Mumbai’s Chief Minister, Home Minister, and Police Commissioner, highlighting that, despite multiple complaints, no significant action has been taken to curb the issue. He emphasized that this noise problem affects not only residents of Worli but also those living in other high-end residential areas such as Nepean Sea Road and Breach Candy, including the Breach Candy Hospital. He urged the authorities to take immediate action, noting that the lack of preventive measures is causing sleepless nights for many. Shah’s letter suggested the installation of sound barriers similar to those seen on the Eastern Island Freeway and other road viaducts in the city.
The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, laid down by the central government, specify that the permissible noise levels for residential areas should not exceed 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night. However, traffic noise on lower floors of residential buildings can reach levels as high as 80 to 110 decibels, far above the permissible limits, according to anti-noise campaigners. Sumaira Abdulali of the Awaaz Foundation, which has been at the forefront of noise pollution campaigns, questioned the effectiveness of existing noise barriers. “Noise barriers, especially the ones already installed in Mumbai, may not provide sufficient relief for high-rise buildings, especially on upper floors,” she commented. Abdulali also criticized the Coastal Road project as poorly planned, arguing that placing a high-speed road adjacent to residential areas in a city like Mumbai, where honking is prevalent, will always exacerbate noise and air pollution. The authorities behind the Coastal Road project, however, claim that they have not received the formal complaint regarding noise pollution. M M Swami, the BMC Chief Engineer for the Mumbai Coastal Road Project, stated, “Once we receive the complaint, we will assess it according to the norms and requirements for addressing such issues.”
