Diwali lights have dimmed, the sweets are over, and the last sparkler has fizzled out. Yet the echoes of the festival linger—literally. This year, Thane seemed louder than ever. Firecrackers burst till late night kept senior citizens, infants, and pets awake, their festive cheer replaced by restless nights. It raises a simple but urgent question: do we really need to go overboard with noise to celebrate joy?
Some years ago, I came across a research paper by Mrs. Priti Thakkar, Assistant Professor at SIES College, on noise pollution in Thane. The study’s findings were alarming then—and remain painfully relevant today. Her research offers us not only a warning but also a way forward.
The constant honking, traffic jams, hawkers shouting to be heard, construction, and the round-the-clock movement of vehicles have together created high sound levels. It seems, we’ve accepted noise as an unavoidable part of modern life. It’s no longer just an irritation—it’s a public-health concern.
Noise pollution is not harmless. Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can disturb sleep, strain concentration, and even damage hearing. Research links it to high blood pressure, stress, cardiovascular disease, and lower productivity. For children and students, it interferes with learning; for elders, it can worsen anxiety and sleep disorders.
To measure just how noisy Thane has become, Mrs. Thakkar focused on three major traffic junctions: Teen Haath Naka, Kapurbawdi, and Majiwada—all known choke points during rush hour. Using precision noise meters, she recorded sound levels through the day and night, and surveyed residents living nearby to understand the physical and mental toll.
Her data painted a grim picture. The measured noise levels at the three major traffic junctions in Thane — Teen Haath Naka, Kapurbawdi, and Majiwada — were found to be alarmingly high.
At Teen Haath Naka, the noise level during the day reached 80 decibels, while at night it remained as high as 73 decibels.
Kapurbawdi showed a similar pattern, recording 75 decibels during the day and 73 decibels at night.
The situation was worst at Majiwada, where daytime noise peaked at 85 decibels and night levels stayed at 83 decibels.
These figures, far above the permissible limits, clearly indicate that Thane’s busiest intersections are constantly engulfed in dangerously high levels of sound pollution, leaving little room for peace even after sunset.
To put this in context, residential areas should not exceed 55 dB during the day and 45 dB at night, while commercial zones are limited to 65 dB and 55 dB respectively. All three locations exceeded permissible limits by a wide margin—some by nearly 20 decibels.
Majiwada emerged as the city’s loudest junction. With traffic far beyond road capacity, every passing minute adds to a relentless barrage of honks, engines, and human voices. Among vehicles, auto-rickshaws topped the list in sheer numbers, followed by trucks and private cars.
When residents were asked about health effects, 45 percent near Majiwada reported headaches or high blood pressure, and 31 percent said they felt stressed or irritable. Kapurbawdi residents reported the highest psychological effects, while Teen Haath Naka was not far behind. Across all sites, the pattern was consistent: the louder the locality, the higher the health complaints.
Mrs. Thakkar’s research offers practical, science-based recommendations—solutions that demand cooperation between citizens and civic authorities.
Trees absorb sound; more greenery along roads and in housing areas can cut noise and enhance beauty. Use sound-proof materials in new buildings, especially near highways. Shift noisy facilities like depots and factories away from homes.
Install decibel meters at busy junctions to catch violations. Ban shrill horns, and enforce silence near schools and hospitals.
Run public campaigns to shift attitudes—honking and loud music aren't festive, they're inconsiderate.
The evidence is clear: Thane’s noise levels are beyond safe limits. Each festival, traffic jam, and public event adds a few more decibels to an already overloaded soundscape.
The next time we celebrate, drive, or even step out for a walk, let’s pause before adding to the noise. A quieter Thane will not only be healthier but also truer to its title—the City of Lakes, where serenity, not sound, should define the spirit of life.
Source: NOISE POLLUTION ANALYSIS IN THANE CITY OF MAHARASHTRA Mrs. Priti Thakkar, Assistant Prof. SIES College Of Commerce and Economics
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