Decibel Levels Dip, But Still Way Above Permissible Limits Highest Diwali noise levels have consistently stayed above 95 decibels — breaching 100 at times — and the worst have been some of the posh localities in the city, shows data put out by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). A quick look shows Malabar Hills, Colaba, Juhu, Bandra, Goregaon, Mazgaon, Wadala, Ghatkopar and Borivli have lodged the maximum decibels from 2010-2012. The highest permissible level in residential areas is 55db. The decibel peaks have dipped marginally over the years, but activists feel there is no distinct pattern of noise reduction as bursting crackers is still the most popular way of celebrating Diwali. The highest recorded sound level in the three years was 109db between 10pm and 6am at Colaba in 2010. Last year, it was 102db at Goregaon, but during 10am-6pm. This points at another positive trend: noise levels in the 10pm-6am (night) period have reduced, again marginally, since 2010. Activists fighting the decibel devil feel the scope of noise may have gone down with more individuals opting not to use crackers, but those bursting crackers still use very noisy ones. Traders almost compete with each other to burst crackers worth thousands of rupees on the day of Laxmi Pujan. So the noisescape of the city hasn’t altered much. Diwali noise in the eastern suburbs has ranged between 93-95db on an average in the three years. But areas like Goregaon, Borivli, Juhu and Bandra on the west have matched some south Mumbai locations like Colaba, Girgaum and Malabar Hills to record decibels touching 100. Some pointed out people congregate on the sea front to burst crackers in bulk, making locations like Juhu, Bandra and Girgaum exceptionally noisy. “There are fewer places with more noise today. But people gather at one location to burst crackers. This creates immense noise. Even if the entire neighbourhood is silent, one group bursting noisy crackers can cause noise pollution,” said Sumaira Abdulali, convener, Awaaz Foundation. Awareness campaigns haven’t been able to educate people on the multiple hazards of fire-crackers. “People come on the roads and burst crackers, sometimes in the dead of night without thinking of the disturbance it causes,” said another activist. Regulations to curb noise from crackers are seldom followed, say activists. “A change is needed both at individual and policy and enforcement levels,” said Thane-based activist Mahesh Bedekar.