A study on the levels of noise pollution in Indore City, India, using pollution indices

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the patterns of environmental noise levels in the communities surrounding Indore City. The escalation of industrialization, urbanization, and transportation systems has led to a widespread problem of noise pollution in urban areas across the globe, which in turn has a significant impact on the overall quality of life. The issue of noise pollution has gained considerable attention as it has become a growing concern for many communities. Indore City, known as the cleanest city in India, has been rapidly growing as an industrialized and urbanized city, leading to a rise in severe noise pollution. The study evaluated the urban noise quality during the day and night in Indore using a Sound Level Meter (SLM), an instrument designed to measure sound levels consistently. The Sound Level Meter (SLM) functions similarly to the human ear in terms of responding to sound and offers a reliable and consistent means of measuring sound pressure levels. The SLM is an essential tool for obtaining objective and reproducible data on sound levels, providing accurate measurements that can be used for various purposes. The study focused on seven critical zones, including residential buildings, commercial markets, industrial buildings, recreational areas, institutional buildings, mercantile buildings, and traffic signals. The results revealed that the Rajwada market area had the highest noise level, with an average of 84 dB, followed by industrial buildings at 74 dB, Bhawar Kua square at 72 dB, C21 mall at 71 dB, institutional buildings at 68 dB, and residential buildings at 56 dB. In contrast, recreational areas had a significantly lower noise level of 55 dB compared to other occupancy types. The study highlights the alarming level of noise pollution in Indore City and the urgent need for measures to address this issue.