Mumbai noise peaks at 107.8 dB despite fewer amplified processions

Mumbai's final Ganpati visarjan on Friday recorded a noise peak of 107.8 decibels at Bandra West, even as fewer processions used truck-mounted DJs and loudspeakers, according to Awaaz Foundation. The reading came from an amplified banjo at 10.03 pm. At Worli, dhol-tasha without loudspeakers registered 94-107 dB. Awaaz also recorded a political party booth using loudspeakers at Girgaon Chowpatty registering 92-103 dB at 11.15 pm.

The Bombay High Court had taken suo motu cognisance of sound pollution during the Ganesh festival on September 21. Awaaz founder Sumaira Abdulali told Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis that most mandals gave up DJs on trucks but political parties across the spectrum continued using loudspeakers beyond midnight and at high volumes. In Thane, 10,281 idols were immersed as noise at select points touched nearly 100 dB, though activists said use of DJs was lower this year. Nearly 70% of Thane idols were made of plaster of Paris, despite civic efforts to promote eco-friendly celebrations. Activists also said police and civic bodies failed to enforce high court directives during visarjan.