PANAJI
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has roped in Delhi based CSIR-Central Road Research Institute to undertake noise mapping, identify the hot spots and propose mitigation plans for control of noise pollution in the State. The one-year long study will help the government in finalising the noise action plan and monitoring.
The pollution Board on Thursday launched the Noise Mapping in the State project. In this regard a workshop was organized for all the government departments involved in the planning process, making them understand what is noise pollution, initial steps that could be taken up as mitigation measures to curb pollution, hotspot areas, etc.
The workshop was inaugurated and addressed by the Director, CSIR-Central Road Research Institute Dr Manoranjan Parida.
Speaking to media persons at the sidelines of the event, GSPCB Chairman Mahesh Patil explained that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had issued directions to the State for the preparation of Action Plan for noise mapping. Accordingly, the State government appointed GSPCB to finalize the action plan for noise mapping and monitoring, he said.
Patil said that the project is aimed towards development of noise maps of cities in Goa in terms of the day and night equivalent noise levels indicating hotspots areas. “The agency will identify the hotspot areas and recommend measures to control the noise pollution there,” he said.
Patil said that the scope of work includes Collection of Primary data consisting of traffic volume data vehicular speed, Road details, building layouts, metrological and topographical data for presentation of noise map and also mitigation measures to reduce noise pollution will be suggested during the project.
“All the government departments involved in planning like PWD will be provided with recommendations like while constructing road, what kind of material to used, how to design it, which trees should be planted along road side to reduce noise level,” he explained.
The Chairman said that scientific and legal understanding of noise is very important while dealing with the noise pollution. He informed that GSPCB has installed 12 noise meters to monitor noise in beach areas. “The Project on noise mapping will give a clear picture of noise pollution in the state and scientific mitigation methods to reduce the problem,” he said.
Earlier, while addressing the workshop, Parida informed about various noise mitigation methods implemented by countries like Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and Europe. He said that the project will be executed by the CSIR Institute for the period of one year.
