Parliament Question: Impact of Noise Pollution on health

GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3659 TO BE ANSWERED ON13.03.2026 IMPACTOFNOISE POLLUTION ONHEALTH 3659.DR. C M RAMESH: Willthe Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleasedtostate:- (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of latest studies by World Health Organization (WHO) and other institutions indicating that chronic exposure toenvironmental noise poses asa major public health risk in India,if so, detailsthereof; (b) whether the Government has launched any awareness campaign to educate the public about the adverse effects of noise pollution,if so, the details thereof; (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to reduce noise limits below 55 decibel and 40 decibel during dayandnight respectively, asrecommendedbyWHO; and (d) whether the Government has conducted any study on health impact of traffic honking and loudspeaker's noise and whether it intends to further strengthen noise limits under Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control), 2000,if so, the detailsthereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATEIN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH& FAMILY WELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) & (b): The Government is aware of studies indicating that prolonged exposure to environmental noise may have adverse health impacts such as sleep disturbance, annoyance, cardiovascular effects, and reduced cognitive performance. These concerns are taken into account while implementing regulatory and mitigation measures for control of noise pollution in the country under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is conducting regularawareness programme through SocialMedia toeducatethe public about noise pollution. (c): Ambient noise standards in India are prescribed under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. As per Rule 3(3) of these Rules, State Governments are responsible for taking measures for abatement of noise including noise emanating from vehicular movements, blowing of horns, bursting of sound-emitting firecrackers, use of loudspeakers or public address systems and other sound-producing instruments, toensure thatthe ambientnoise levelsdonot exceedthe prescribed standards. (d): No Specificstudy hasbeencarriedout on healthimpact of traffichonkingandloudspeaker’snoise. *****