IITR Study Flags Charbagh and Indira Nagar as Lucknow’s Noisiest Neighbour hoods Despite Drop in Air Pollution
By Tajdar H. Zaidi
Lucknow: A recent study conducted by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR–IITR) has revealed a worrying contrast in Lucknow’s environmental health profile.
While the city has seen a notable improvement in air quality, with levels of harmful particulate matter decreasing by 9 to 17 percent, the noise pollution levels remain alarmingly high, posing a significant threat to public health.
According to the report, Charbagh and Indira Nagar have been identified as Lucknow’s noisiest localities, with sound levels consistently breaching the permissible limits prescribed for both residential and commercial areas.
These findings suggest that while authorities may have made progress on air pollution, noise remains an overlooked menace.
Charbagh: The Epicenter of Urban Noise
The area of Charbagh, known primarily for its busy railway station and constant traffic movement, recorded a staggering 84.6 decibels (dB) during the day — far above the prescribed limit of 55 dB for residential zones.
Even more concerning is the data from commercial pockets of Charbagh, where noise levels exceeded 111 dB, nearly double the upper permissible limit.
This level of sound is comparable to standing next to a rock concert speaker or a jet engine at takeoff — clearly unsafe for prolonged human exposure.
Indira Nagar and Aliganj Also Under Fire
Next in line was Indira Nagar, which reported daytime sound levels of 71.3 dB, again breaching the prescribed norms. At night, the problem persisted — the area failed to meet the standard limit of 45 dB for residential areas.
Aliganj, typically considered a quieter, more residential neighbourhood, shocked researchers by becoming the loudest locality at night, clocking 69.5 dB, louder than many industrial zones and noisier than a household vacuum cleaner.
Gomti Nagar and Commercial Hotspots Not Far Behind
Gomti Nagar — often portrayed as a planned and relatively upscale neighbourhood — recorded 75.2 dB during the day, and Chowk also showed elevated levels, despite marginal reductions in air pollutants.
These readings reveal that noise is no longer restricted to crowded markets and transport hubs — even planned residential sectors are not immune.
The industrial zone of Amausi, housing a mix of factories, warehouses, and an airport, also exceeded the safe noise threshold, recording 86 dB, a level known to cause long-term hearing damage if exposure is prolonged.
Air Quality Sees Slight Relief, But Still Problematic
While the headlines may focus on noise, the IITR report does not dismiss air pollution as a resolved issue. Although concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 — the tiny particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs — have slightly decreased due to stricter vehicle emission norms and improved construction practices, they still exceed national safety standards.
Areas like Gomti Nagar and Chowk remain high on the pollution index, indicating that while progress is being made, it is far from sufficient.
Health Experts Raise Alarm Over Ignored Crisis
Environmental and public health experts are sounding the alarm over the combined effects of air and noise pollution.
A CSIR–IITR scientist involved in the study said that while air pollution has received government and media attention in recent years — resulting in tighter regulations and awareness campaigns — noise pollution continues to be grossly underestimated in urban planning and policy-making.
“Prolonged exposure to high noise levels doesn’t just affect hearing,” the scientist explained. “It is also associated with elevated stress levels, cardiovascular issues, sleep disturbances, and reduced productivity.
Similarly, PM2.5 particles are particularly dangerous for children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions.”
A Call for Action
The findings of the IITR report paint a sobering picture of environmental imbalance. Lucknow’s efforts to address air pollution are commendable, but unless matched with robust measures to curb noise pollution, public health risks will persist.
This includes implementing stricter regulations on traffic flow, controlling honking, enforcing quieter construction practices, and creating noise buffer zones around sensitive areas like schools and hospitals.
For now, residents of Lucknow are advised to be vigilant about their auditory health — possibly resorting to earplugs or soundproofing — and hope that city planners give equal priority to the growing acoustic threat that looms over the city’s fast-urbanizing landscape.
