Life On Loud Track For These Slum Dwellers
New Delhi: A study of slum settlements abutting railway tracks found that the residents there were vulnerable to severe health risks due to noise levels that exceeded safe residential standards by up to 85%.
The research, published in journal Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, was conducted by a team led by Rajeev Kumar Mishra, associate professor, department of environmental science and engineering, Delhi Technological University, along with co-author Ravi Pratap Singh Jadon, in collaboration with Nasim Akhtar, chief scientist, CSIR-Central Road Research Institute.
The team of scientists monitored 1,057 train pass-by events in 14 major slum locations near the railway tracks to find noise levels ranging from 120 decibels at Patel Nagar station to 69.1 decibels in Shahdara against the Central Pollution Control Board's acceptable standard of 55 decibels for residential areas. About 10% of Delhi slums are located on railway land or are located close to railway tracks.
The study identified freight trains as a major problem since these generate an average noise level of 100.1 decibels, nearly double the residential limit of 55. Diesel-powered locomotives consistently outpaced their electric counterparts in noise generation, producing two to eight decibels higher sound across all train categories.
"The residents living in slum areas located near railway tracks are more susceptible to higher noise. The noise levels peak between 1pm and 5pm, coinciding with increased train frequency," said Mishra. "During these hours, some locations experienced noise spikes up to 115.6 decibels. The study established a strong correlation between train frequency and noise intensity, with statistical significance in all monitored sites."
The research advocated transitioning from diesel to electric locomotive operations. "Electric trains demonstrated consistently lower noise emissions across all categories: passenger, express, superfast and freight. Electric express trains recorded the lowest average noise at 91.8 decibels, while diesel freight trains peaked at the highest. The diesel-powered passenger train creates more noise than the electric-powered passenger train, highlighting the potential for immediate improvement through locomotive modernisation," the study said while recommending noise abatement measures , including the construction of sound barriers, restriction of diesel train operations in populated areas, and rerouting of freight services away from residential zones.
The report added, "These findings underscore the environmental justice implications of transportation infrastructure, where society's most vulnerable populations bear disproportionate health burdens... As Delhi continues its rapid urban expansion, the study serves as a critical wake-up call for policymakers to prioritise the health and well-being of communities living in the shadows of the city's transportation network. The research provides essential data for developing targeted noise control measures thatcould significantly improve the quality of life for thousands of Delhi's most vulnerable residents."