Working towards a noise-free Bangalore

Working towards a noise-free Bangalore
These activists hope to restore the city’s pristine peace by spreading awareness about noise
Anjana Pradhan | TNN


Santosh Kumar has been ferrying people across Bangalore in his auto for the past 28 years. Today, at the age of 48, he complains of irritation in his throat and eyes, and more importantly, increasing stress levels. “I start my day at 4.30 am which contines late into the night. With over 80,000 autos running in the city, one can imagine the condition of autorickshaw drivers who spend 15 hours on Bangalore’s roads,” says Santosh. “Many auto drivers tamper with silencers thinking that it’ll give better mileage.” He’s also quick to add that besides his young counterparts, the so-called ‘Dhoom boys’ are responsible for increasing the noise level in the city.
Once revered as the pensioners’ paradise, Bangalore is going deaf with the increasing number of vehicles. As the city cries for silence, Mission Peace — Stop the Noise, initiated in October 2008 by a group of residents, aims to transform Bangalore into a peaceful and healthy metro. Sunita de Sousa, the project’s president, says that their aim is to reduce sound pollution caused by autos and indiscriminate honking, and restore peace to Bangalore.
In November 2008, the group held a campaign to spread awareness on cutting down noise caused by vehicles, followed by a programme on its effects on auto drivers. Organized jointly with the Rotary Club, the group found that nearly 30% of the auto drivers complained of hearing problems.
Now, the group plans to mobilize around 1,000 auto drivers to use silencers, informs de Sousa. It targets three sets of people — the public for building public awareness; auto drivers; and regulators.
Some members like Jagadisan and Vinita Krishnamurthy spread the word about Mission Silence in their respective localities by mobilizing school children, residents and autodrivers. Krishnamurthy says, “Noise hasn’t been taken seriously as a health factor. ”
Another member, Radhika Poovayya says, “Noise causes acquired hearing loss which is totally preventable. But there’s a lack of awareness. Stringent action should be taken against those vehicles which go above the permissible level of sound.” And, so they labour on, hoping their plea for silence cuts through the din.
(Tell us about similar initiatives at
toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com with ‘Sunshine Schemes’ in the subject line)
MISSION PEACE
Contact: 203, Pearl House, 28, Davis Road, Bangalore — 560084 Phone: 080-23621212; extension: 131