Noise pollution levels in Dhaka have risen alarmingly because of the increasing numbers of vehicles on the roads and the abundance of construction works during the dry season. Studies conducted by environment protection bodies indicate high noise pollution even in residential neighbourhoods. Their data suggests that noise levels are significantly above the permissible level in many parts of the capital.

With the growing number of vehicles on the roads in recent years, honking has become a major source of noise pollution. Honking starts very early in the morning and continues unabated until midnight in many areas. The noise from brick-grinding machines at construction sites, noise from metal workshops and generators in both residential and industrial areas, and loud music from homes during wedding ceremonies and social gatherings are among the main sources of noise pollution in the city. The use of loudspeakers for social programmes, political assembly, concerts, and marketing campaigns is another source of noise pollution.

Apart from hearing loss, noise pollution can lead to hypertension, high stress levels, and other health hazards, say experts.

A recent study by Stamford University Bangladesh and Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan observed that noise pollution in the capital has exceeded permissible limits and citizens are exposed to shrill sounds almost all the time.

The noise levels in all areas—categorised as silent, residential, commercial, and industrial zones—were found to be highly intolerable. The study recorded sounds at 70 spots in the capital from 6am to 9pm between December 14 and 22, which included four holidays and five working days.

Researchers measured the sound pollution level near the Secretariat area at 128 decibels (dB). The area had been declared a silent zone on December 17, which means the permissible limit is much lower at 50 dB. Despite government directives to turn the area around the Secretariat, including the Link Road to Zero Point, Paltan intersection, into a “No Horn Zone”, noise pollution has only worsened. The punishment for honking in a silent zone is up to one month in prison, or a Tk. 5,000 fine, or both for first-time violators, according to the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act of 1995.  For repeat offenders, the punishment is a maximum of six months’ imprisonment or a Tk. 10,000 fine or both. Sound above 70 dB is considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be extreme. Any sound below 25 dB is normal, below 40 dB moderate, below 55 dB mild, above 70 dB extreme, 71–90 dB more extreme, and 91–120 dB intolerable. For about 96.03 per cent of the day, sound levels were found to be above 70 dB, the study noted.

Sound levels remained above the permissible limit of 50 dB limit at 12 spots around the Secretariat throughout the study period.

At nine other silent zones, the sound level remained above the 50 dB limit all the time. Even more shocking was the finding that 92.87 per cent of time the sound intensity was more than 70 dB. It rose to 126.6 dB during the period from 6am to 9pm. The sound levels in residential, commercial, and industrial zones were also extremely high. In residential areas, the intensity was 70 dB, in mixed zones 70 dB, in commercial areas 90 dB, and in industrial zones 75–90 dB.

Deputy director (monitoring and enforcement) of the environment department, Dr Abdullah Al Mamun, blamed the noise pollution on unnecessary honking. He said that the department was conducting regular drives against noise polluters.

“We are exercising a zero-tolerance policy against those creating sound pollution. This is under our notice, especially polluters in industrial areas,” he added.

Mamun revealed that action was being taken against those creating sound pollution by using generators in residential and industrial zones. “By banning horns in the Secretariat area, we are setting an example. People must become aware about not using horns in ‘No Horn Zones’ and elsewhere,” he said. “Our two magistrates are monitoring the situation constantly, but people must be aware of the issue first,” he added.

According to a 2017 study by the Department of Environment (DoE), sound levels at all divisional headquarters were far beyond the acceptable limit for human ears. The survey, conducted at 70 areas in Dhaka city, recorded sound levels reaching up to 120–130 dB at many points.

According to the survey report, noise levels exceeded 120 dB during the day at Gabtoli, the Arambagh, Gulshan-2, Gulistan, and Mirpur 10 intersections, as well as at Bangla Motor, New Market, Mascot Plaza of Uttara, Jagannath University, and other areas.

The lowest sound levels were recorded at Road-18 of Uttara-14—99.6 dB during the day and 43.7 dB at night. The highest noise levels, observed at Farmgate, were 130.2 dB during the day and 65.7 dB at night. The survey also noted that most people did not know about the 2006 sound pollution control law and very few had seen the law implemented. According to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2006, acceptable sound levels are 55 dB during the day from 6am to 9pm and 45 dB at night from 9pm to 6am in residential areas; 50 dB during the day and 40 dB at night in silent zones; 60 dB during the day and 50 dB at night in mixed areas; 70 dB during the day and 60 dB at night in commercial areas; and 75 dB in the day and 70 dB at night in industrial areas.