Representational Picture
Readings recorded by the Telangana pollution control board (TGPCB) between Jan and July 2026 show that several locations consistently experienced noise levels above the prescribed limits during both daytime and nighttime hours. At Zoo Park, daytime noise levels increased from 56.6 dB in Jan to 61.5 dB in July, against the permissible limit of 50 dB. At the University of Hyderabad (HCU), readings remained around 70 dB, reaching 71.3 dB in July.
Hyderabad: Noise pollution continues to be a concern across Hyderabad, with monitored data showing that permissible limits are being breached in residential neighbourhoods, commercial areas and designated silence zones. “In Hyderabad’s core areas, vehicular movement and honking are the major contributors to noise pollution, while construction-related noise is more prevalent in the outskirts. People must be sensitised from school age, families should educate children about road behaviour, and licensing norms must include proper education to build a culture of road discipline,” he added. Even designated silence zones were not spared. They attributed the high noise levels largely to increasing traffic volumes and honking, while stating that enforcement of noise pollution norms primarily fell under the purview of the traffic police.
Senior TGPCB officials, when contacted on Saturday, could not offer a specific explanation for the elevated readings or outline any targeted corrective measures.