Assessment and Analysis of Noise Levels During Festivals in Guwahati City of Assam, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70112/ajsat-2025.14.2.4314Keywords:
Ambient Noise Levels, Cultural Events, Sound Level Assessment, Event-Based PollutionAbstract
Indian festivals are vibrant expressions of cultural unity and spiritual tradition; however, they also lead to a significant rise in environmental issues, particularly noise pollution. This study investigates ambient noise levels during two major festivals-Durga Puja (2019–2023) and Deepawali (2023)-across selected urban locations in Guwahati City, Assam, namely Ganeshguri, Bharalumukh, Pandu, Panbazar, and Ulubari. The research is based entirely on secondary data sourced from the open-access records of the Pollution Control Board Assam (PCBA) and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods in Microsoft Excel. The findings indicate that noise levels consistently exceeded the permissible limits set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), especially during festival nights. Ganeshguri and Panbazar recorded the highest noise levels, with Lmax values during Deepawali reaching up to 121.9 dB(A), posing serious health hazards. Even quieter areas such as Pandu experienced a substantial rise in noise levels during festivals. The study highlights that sustained exposure to high-decibel noise can lead to hearing loss, cardiovascular problems, sleep disturbances, and psychological stress, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and patients.
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