Diwali noise breaches limits in all Maha cities: Economic survey

Mumbai: Noise levels recorded during Diwali across major Maharashtra cities exceeded prescribed limits at every monitoring location, with not a single area falling within permissible standards, according to the Economic Survey of Maharashtra 2025–26, citing data from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).Under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, residential areas should not exceed 55 dB during the day and 45 dB at night, but readings during the festival were significantly higher across all monitored locations.In Mumbai, Shivaji Park (Dadar) recorded 81.7 dB during the day and 75.9 dB at night on Oct 20, 2025, while Chembur logged 76.6 dB during the day and 73.7 dB at night. In neighbouring Thane, Wagle Estate touched 82.5 dB during the day in 2024, among the highest readings in the dataset, while Gokhale Road recorded levels above 70 dB on several occasions.Other cities also showed elevated levels. Pune's Laxmi Road registered 83.2 dB during the day and 75.5 dB at night in 2024, while Nashik's Central Bus Stand reached 79.6 dB during the day and 78.2 dB at night in 2025. Several locations in Nagpur, Amravati, Akola and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar also recorded readings well above permissible limits.The survey notes that noise pollution from sources such as traffic, construction, industrial activity and festive celebrations can lead to health impacts, including hearing loss, anxiety and other mental health issues.