AVINASH SARGAR, SHRIKANT BHOSALE AND RAMESH B. RANPISE
Abstract
The aim of this study is to assess the noise levels along two major arterial roads named Carter road and MG road at Borivali, Mumbai. These two roads connect the Western highway to the Borivali railway station. Every individual utilizes these roads to arrive at the railway station. City buses and auto rickshaws are running on a large scale by MG Road and Carter Road. Noise levels were collected at 10 different locations where the traffic is high. Out of 10 locations, six locations come under the stretch of Carter Road (Highway-Carter Road junction, Carter Road 5, Carter Road 4, Carter Road 3, Carter Road 2, Carter Road 1) and four locations come under the stretch of MG Road (Kaveri resto, Shreeji shopping arcade, Aditi hotel, and Omkareshwar mandir). To collect the noise levels Lutron sound meter (Model SL - 4010) was used. Noise levels were collected in three sessions (Morning, afternoon, and evening) at every location. At every station, 9 hours of readings were recorded in a day at 5 min intervals. Based on recorded noise levels various noise parameters were assessed. The noise levels were found very high and were above the acceptable limit over all the locations. For the morning peak period, the maximum noise level was 81.2 dBA recorded at Omkareshwar temple, and the minimum noise level was 74.3 dBA in the morning at Carter Road no-3. Carter Road is a busy -commercial area due to Sabji Mandai (Vegetable market) and roadside shops hence it was crowded throughout the day. Evening noise levels are comparatively higher than morning and afternoon sessions at Carter Road and remain crowded in the evening. Noise levels in the morning and afternoon almost at all locations range between 74 dBA to 81.2 dBA and it is much higher than the limits set by CPCB. During the afternoon noise levels in most, places are between 68 dB to 74 db. There is a need for immediate noise control measures to reduce the noise levels in this area.