<p>Noise pollution is turning out to be a threat as big as air pollution itself, if statistics are anything to go by.</p>.<p>According to a recent analysis by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), noise pollution is more in residential areas and notified silent zones when compared to industrial areas.</p>.<p>KSPCB member secretary Manoj Kumar said it was a matter of worry. He said decibel levels were high in residential areas because of the increasing commercial activities there and the mixed categories of zones.</p>.<p>The regulations are more stringent in industrial areas, where there is more discipline in the movement of vehicles, parking and industry operations, which has ensured a check in noise pollution.</p>.<p>But that is not the case in residential and commercial areas.</p>.<p>In fact, the silent zones — around educational institutions, hospitals, courts and religious places — have become more noisy, said another senior KSPCB official.</p>.<p>According to the Pollution Control Board data, noise pollution was 57.5% more in the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (Nimhans), which is a sensitive area, in the month of September.</p>.<p>It was 19.3% high in Teri Office, Domlur, a residential area; 52% more in BTM layout, 17.1% more in SG Halli; 10.3% more on Church Street; 15% at Yeshwanthpur police station and within limits at Whitefield and Peenya Industrial area. These levels were recorded at night when traffic tends to be less.</p>.<p>As per standards, noise pollution levels in residential areas should be 55 decibels, 65 in commercial areas, 50 in sensitive areas and 75 in industrial areas.</p>.<p><strong>Air pollution also high</strong></p>.<p>Residential areas presented a bleak picture on air pollution front, too. Manoj Kumar said while the situation was getting better in industrial areas, air pollution was increasing in residential and commercial areas.</p>.<p>This is another indication of the impact that the increasing mixed zones have on the environment, calling for serious action by the government.</p>
<p>Noise pollution is turning out to be a threat as big as air pollution itself, if statistics are anything to go by.</p>.<p>According to a recent analysis by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), noise pollution is more in residential areas and notified silent zones when compared to industrial areas.</p>.<p>KSPCB member secretary Manoj Kumar said it was a matter of worry. He said decibel levels were high in residential areas because of the increasing commercial activities there and the mixed categories of zones.</p>.<p>The regulations are more stringent in industrial areas, where there is more discipline in the movement of vehicles, parking and industry operations, which has ensured a check in noise pollution.</p>.<p>But that is not the case in residential and commercial areas.</p>.<p>In fact, the silent zones — around educational institutions, hospitals, courts and religious places — have become more noisy, said another senior KSPCB official.</p>.<p>According to the Pollution Control Board data, noise pollution was 57.5% more in the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (Nimhans), which is a sensitive area, in the month of September.</p>.<p>It was 19.3% high in Teri Office, Domlur, a residential area; 52% more in BTM layout, 17.1% more in SG Halli; 10.3% more on Church Street; 15% at Yeshwanthpur police station and within limits at Whitefield and Peenya Industrial area. These levels were recorded at night when traffic tends to be less.</p>.<p>As per standards, noise pollution levels in residential areas should be 55 decibels, 65 in commercial areas, 50 in sensitive areas and 75 in industrial areas.</p>.<p><strong>Air pollution also high</strong></p>.<p>Residential areas presented a bleak picture on air pollution front, too. Manoj Kumar said while the situation was getting better in industrial areas, air pollution was increasing in residential and commercial areas.</p>.<p>This is another indication of the impact that the increasing mixed zones have on the environment, calling for serious action by the government.</p>