A.K. DASARATHY AND M. TAMILSELVI
Abstract
Chennai is capital city of Tamilnadu and it is the most attracted city among south India. The increase in population, Industrial developments, tourist attractions and other activities made Chennai city as a heavily polluted city. Increase in number of vehicles like four wheelers, two wheelers, private buses and heavy vehicles is one of the major sources of pollution. Here we have considered noise as the paramount polluter since little work has been carried on this topic. We have measured ambient noise level using HTC make Sound Level Meter and Continuous Leq measurement recorded during day time (06002100 hr). In Chennai we have selected four different zones at eight locations. The noise levels were recorded at Railway station (commercial zone) are 64.3 dBA - 122.5dBA, followed by residential zone 50.7-78.2 dBA at Madipakkam, institution zone at Avadi 61.7 dBA - 79.8dBA and silence zone 44.0- 78.2dBA at Miot hospital respectively. The noise level values exceeded the standards set by the Central Pollution Control Board, India. The increase in noise levels were around 13% to 78% respectively at all the zones. The results show that the noise pollution in the city is wide spread throughout most of its area. Remedial measures were suggested separately for each situation.