A retrospective veiw of ambient noise standards in India: Status and proposed revisions

The objective of this paper is to investigate the status and validity of ambient noise standards in India and propose revisions for noise abatement and control based on the available knowledge on noise policies and regulations followed around the world. The annual average Lday (06-22 h) and Lnight (22-06 h) values observed under the pilot project on the establishment of National Ambient Noise Monitoring Network (NANMN) across seven major cities in India are analyzed for ascertaining the magnitude of annual average ambient noise levels, planning for noise abatement action plans and formulation of revised ambient noise standards in India. It is envisaged that the proposed revisions shall be instrumental in execution of noise abatement action plans for controlling noise pollution in India.