Time for noise abatement initiatives

Nowadays, people rightly and openly complain of the widespread pollution of the atmosphere, the seas and the environment but in the case of noise pollution, few speak about it and protest.

Day in, day out, noise of considerable proportions is generated by the thousands of motor cars of all sorts and concrete mixers passing though our roads, especially in the main arteries of the road networks. People living in houses bordering the main thoroughfares are adversely affected by the noise problem though to a much lesser extent during the night. Apparently very little can be done to minimise the harmful effects to the hearing faculty caused by this type of noise.

In a similar way, if not worse, low-flying aircraft and jet airliners make a vibrating noise while travelling and people living in the vicinity of airports suffer a great deal from this seemingly unavoidable nuisance not only by day but more audibly by night. This noise disturbs the nightly rest and sleep of the inhabitants. Moreover, this kind of noise is more annoying and irksome in the case of the sick and the aged.

No remedy to this inconvenience is yet in sight, notwithstanding the relentless efforts being made by aircraft engine engineers in the manufacture of passenger aeroplanes.

Street vendors, and these include distributors of gas cylinders, are consciously responsible for unnecessary noise that persists for some time by repeatedly hooting their electric horns, announcing their presence to housewives intending to buy their produce. This malpractice should be controlled by the sellers themselves in view of the fact that this annoys other people in the locality.

Yet another boring and irritating noise is caused by open air discos and concerts through excessively loud recorded music, little caring for the welfare of neighbouring inhabitants, particularly the sick and the elderly. Very often, the volume of noise is turned down after the intervention of the police authorities following reports by those living in the vicinity of such night entertainment spots.

It is not uncommon for young car drivers to let the music emanating from their car stereos reaching high pitch to the annoyance of people inhabiting the area. This is in contravention of the law but, in the absence of traffic wardens, such irresponsible youngsters persist in their wrongdoing, caring none for the welfare of other people.

Rock excavation by powerful pneumatic drillers for house building purposes causes a great deal of persistent noise. People living close by are often afflicted by this extremely high level of tedious and harmful noise. This state of affairs may often last for a couple of weeks.

But the volume of unpleasant noise reaches its peak in summer during the long festive season. This is mainly caused by the uncontrolled and incessant firing of numerous ear-splitting and nerve-shattering petards by over-enthusiastic fireworks enthusiasts. Such a period of deafening noise, especially at night, causes annoyance, discomfort and psychological harm to people, mostly the infirm and the old. Moreover, little children are terrified by it. So are dogs and birds!

It is believed that, not long ago, there existed a local Noise Abatement Society. One wonders whether it is still existing and currently active. Now, more than ever before, the society needs to be revived and visibly functioning.