The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed 110 areas in Mumbai that can be demarcated as silence zones. BMC is currently is the first civic body in the state out 27 other municipal corporations to submit a proposal identifying such silence zones.
According to a report in Hindustan Times, a fresh list of such zones was sent to urban development department (UDD) in the first week of December. But the BMC and UDD have not disclosed which areas will be demarcated as silence zones, but the list includes areas around hospitals, educational institutes, and courts. In the current list religious places, shrines have been dropped.
“Of the 1,503 Silence Zones that are no longer in operation, we selected the noisiest areas around courts, hospitals, and educational institutions after consulting all 24 wards as the first tranche of this proposal. Subsequently, we received suggestions for various other locations from different wards. Once they are compiled, they will be sent to UDD.” Suprabha Marathe, deputy chief engineer, BMC environment department told Hindustan Times.
Earlier on November 21, state environment department has issued guidelines to all municipal corporations in the state, asking them to submit proposals for demarcating possible silence zones. After receiving the proposals the UDD will draft a proposal and will put forth for citizens suggestions and objections.
What are silence zones?
Silence zones are defined as areas with a 100-m radius around hospitals or courts, among others, where noise standards are laid down as per existing rules, and should not exceed 45 decibels (dB) and 40dB during the day and night.
