Zone-wise Noise Standards/Limits

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Every State Government categorizes areas into the following, where various noise standards/limits have to be followed:

Industrial

Commercial

Residential

Silence areas/zones

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.

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What is Air Pollution?

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