MUMBAI: Environmental activists have started focusing on the harmful effects of noise pollution. Organisations around the world have tried to find methods to prevent this. The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) will soon launch noise ATMs to curb noise pollution in the cities in Maharashtra.
These one-of-a-kind machines will be initially installed in Mumbai and Nagpur. The ATMs will check the number of times any driver honks and limit the intensity of sound emanating from the honking. In its noise mapping report across 27 cities of Maharashtra, NEERI stated that there is a need to control noise pollution and limit honking.
Dr Ritesh Vijay, principal scientist and head, NEERI- Mumbai zone said, “Noise ATMs act as a signal that can be installed in vehicles. The sensor will not allow a vehicle to exceed the number of times it is permitted to honk. A signal will come up on the dashboard or will be transmitted via the network to the traffic department as violation.” Dr Vijay added that the Institute is awaiting approval from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). Once they receive the approval from MPCB, the ATMs will be installed across Mumbai.