Nagpur: In a significant step towards mitigating noise pollution, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) will install four Continuous Noise Monitoring Stations (CNMS) in Nagpur. This initiative marks the first time such technology will be deployed in the city, providing real-time noise level data around the clock, which will be automatically uploaded to the MPCB website, according to a report in a local newspaper.
The MPCB confirmed that the equipment for the CNMS has been received and the installation will commence shortly at four specified locations in the city:
1. Town Hall in Mahal
2. Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) near IT Park
3. Laxminarayan Institute of Technology (LIT) at Amravati Road
4. MPCB Office in Civil Lines
These stations will be installed beside the existing Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) at these government-run installations.
Due to increased human interference near the existing CAAQMS in Town Hall, Mahal area, MPCB plans to relocate this station. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) will allot a new space for this purpose, and the CNMS will be shifted there as well. The tendering process for the installation of the CNMS is currently underway and expected to be completed soon.
Currently, MPCB conducts manual noise monitoring twice a year during major festivals like Diwali and Ganesh Festival. This method only provides representational data of the city’s noise levels. The new CNMS, however, will offer continuous 24×7 monitoring, allowing for more accurate and comprehensive data collection. This data will aid researchers and city administrators in understanding and mitigating noise pollution effectively.
Notably, the police department in Nagpur has implemented a ‘No Honking’ rule on city roads to further reduce noise pollution. The continuous data from the CNMS will help the MPCB to monitor compliance with this rule and identify other areas needing improvement to curb noise pollution.
This proactive approach by the MPCB, in collaboration with local authorities, aims to create a quieter, more liveable environment in Nagpur, addressing one of the pressing urban environmental issues comprehensively. After installation of the four CNMS, the Board will monitor the noise level of the city and also find out the grey areas which should be improved to curb noise pollution.
