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Every State Government categorizes areas into the following, where various noise standards/limits have to be followed:
- Industrial
- Commercial
- Residential
Development authorities, local bodies and other authorities while planning developmental activity or carrying out functions relating to town/country planning have the responsibility to avoid noise menace and maintain noise standards. For example, the Supreme Court in a case, asked a business manufacturing utensils to reduce noise and bring it within permissible noise limits, as it was disturbing the neighbourhood including teachers, students and neighbours near the business premises.
Noise Standards in India
Depending on the area or zone, there are noise limits/standards which need to be maintained. If it goes above the limit, then it would be noise pollution.
| Area or Zone | Limits in dB(A) Leq* (Day Time from 6.00 am. to 10.00 p.m) | Limits in dB(A) Leq* (Night Time from (10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m) |
| Industrial area | 75 | 70 |
| Commercial area | 65 | 55 |
| Residential area | 55 | 45 |
| Silence Zone | 50 | 40 |
If you violate these limits given in the table above, then you will be punished under the law with jail time and a fine.
Helpless residents
September 26, 2022
Very loud noise for garba celebration in thakur village, Kandivali East. Mumbai.
Opposite Oxford School.
Beyond 11pm. Thumping music. School students unable to sleep in surrounding residential areas.
Nyaaya
September 29, 2022
Complaint against loud music can be lodged at the nearest police station by calling 100 via the nearest police station. It is pertinent to note that action has to be taken by the police wherever the decibel level exceeds 10dB of the prescribed limit, which is beyond 65dB in the daytime and 55dB at night.
Rashi Mor
December 14, 2023
How do we know that the sound level is above 55 db? Are citizens supposed to measure? Very loud music processions from Jain community here in the area all day. But how do I know if the level is above 55 db or not?