Sulonian Mihika Dalvi surveys Thane’s decibel levels to create awareness about noise pollution
13-year-old Mihika Dalvi, a student of Smt. Sulochanadevi Singhania School has started creating awareness about noise pollution. The seeds of this awareness initiative were sown last year when she experienced disturbance while studying at home due to loud music being played in her building.
Given the increasing level of noise pollution due to enormous development works and incessant traffic, the mental and physical health of the people have started getting adversely affected. For most, the simplest thing to do is to complain to the concerned authority. However, Mihika looked at this menace differently. She decided to study the subject. After gaining adequate understanding, Mihika presented her project on the said issue at the National Science Conference last year. She recorded the noise level at various residential complexes, industrial areas and peace zones of the city. After a discussion with experts, she presented her conclusions. Although Mihika’s project was not selected for the next stage of the competition, it was praised by activists working in the field. So, she was encouraged to add more to this study. This year, too, she recorded noise levels at different places. She compared the last year’s data and this year’s observations.
| Area | Decibels | |
| 2022 | 2023 | |
| Hiranandani Estate | 49 | 60 |
| Hospital area on Eastern Express Highway | 80 | 76 |
| Smt. Sulochanadevi Singhania School | 72 | 66 |
| Teen Hath Naka | 83 | 76 |
| Gokhale Road | 78 | 77 |
After analysing the data, Mihika found that the noise level had increased in the Ghodbunder area due to the ongoing metro works and roadside eateries. In contrast, in the Gokhale Road area, there was no significant difference in the noise levels since the street has always been busy with vehicles and their honking. Compared to last year, the noise of metro works was less in the hospital, school and Teen Hath Naka areas this year.
Spreading awareness about noise pollution, Mihika says, “The government has clear regulations regarding noise pollution, and everyone should follow them. Care should be taken to limit the television and music system volume in the house so that others are not disturbed.”