HYDERABAD: Among the major centres monitored on various pollution parameters, the busy Punjagutta Crossroads has emerged as the noisiest point of the city, apparently due to the sharp rise in traffic volume and resultant snarls at regular intervals here.

According to the yearlong data collated by Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, the average decibel level recorded for 2006 at Punjagutta was 80.18 against an acceptable limit of 65 dB. At the same time, the peak noise values at what could be the busiest junction of the city these days, rose to an average of 85.90 dB, that is around 20 dB more than the standard.

In terms of noise pollution, this point of the city was followed by Paradise, where the average noise level for the year was 80.18 dB (peak value 85.63 dB) and Charminar with 80.17 dB average and the monthly average peaking to 86.04 dB in October.

Incidentally, Abids, which once was considered as one of the most congested intersections of the city has fallen behind Punjagutta, Paradise and Charminar as far as din is considered. The most popular business district till a few years back and thus noisiest of all, it averaged 79.79 dB peaking to 85.24 dB last year.

Lower noise levels

However, the monitors at Zoo Park at Bahadurpura in the Old City and KBR Park at Jubilee Hills recorded comparatively lower noise levels, though slightly above the standard limit, and stood at 67.01 dB and 69.08 dB respectively.

Like all other indices of pollution, even noise has been described as a factor that not only affects the quality of life but also could lead to a series of health problems. Hearing impairment, high blood pressure, change in respiratory rate apart from mental illness, anger and others have been listed as results of increased noise levels.

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