An Analysis of Noise Pollution in Bankura City, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Environmental noise pollution is nowadays becoming an international concern. In this paper, the study of noise pollution in Bankura city, West BengalW.B, India, has been done. The whole study area is divided into silent zone which includes hospitals, schools and Bankura University, commercial zone and heavy traffic zone. For monitoring noise level intensity, twenty- four (24) different important locations of Bankura town including Bankura University were selected on the basis of zone. L1, L5, L10, L50, L90, L95, L99, equivalent sound pressure level (Leq), noise climate (NC), noise pollution level (LNP) and noise traffic index (TNI) were computed for analysis of noise pollution intensity. Since the noise level varies with atmospheric conditions, hence the study is divided into pre-monsoon, monsoon and post- monsoon session. The present study reveals that the noise levels exceed the prescribed noise standard set by the Central Pollution Control Board of, India. The results reveals that the whole city is heavily affected by noise pollution, almost in all the zones (heavy traffic zone, commercial zones and silent zones) noise intensity are much higher than the recommended level. The city is rapidly developing which is adding thrust on the noise level and creates several health issues hence immediate steps must be taken to control the increasing noise pollution of the city.