In a first for the city, Mumbai has seen the installation of dedicated noise barriers at an active construction site, a development that has drawn attention amid growing concerns over sound pollution linked to redevelopment activity. Visuals shared by Viral Bhayani on Instagram showed a site equipped with specialised sound-blocking panels, marking what is being viewed as an initial step toward mitigating construction-related noise.
The move comes at a time when redevelopment projects across the city have intensified, particularly those involving pile foundation drilling and heavy machinery. Residents in several neighbourhoods have frequently raised complaints about prolonged exposure to high decibel levels.
On Wednesday, activist Dr Avisha Kulkarni wrote to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, urging the civic administration to mandate noise barriers at all construction sites. She noted that the prevailing practice of enclosing sites with galvanised iron sheets does little to absorb or reduce sound, leaving adjoining residential areas exposed to persistent noise.
Communities located along major redevelopment corridors, stretching nearly 33.5 kilometres from south to north Mumbai, have reported being among the most affected. Asha Gandhi, a resident of Borivali East, said that sound levels often exceed permissible limits, turning what should be short-term disruption into prolonged disturbance.
She described daily exposure to the pounding of drilling equipment that begins early in the morning and, at times, continues late into the night. The impact has extended beyond inconvenience, affecting work-from-home schedules, routine conversations and overall well-being. Elderly residents and young children, in particular, have faced sleep disruption and heightened stress due to sustained noise.
If adopted more widely, mandatory sound barriers could represent a policy shift in managing redevelopment externalities. For now, the installation at one site has prompted cautious hope among residents seeking relief from constant construction noise.
Source: The Free Press Journal
