The constant roar of traffic, incessant honking, and noisy rickshaws have become an unavoidable part of daily life in Lahore. Medical professionals and environmentalists warn that this increasing noise pollution is seriously impacting public health.
On Ferozepur Road, one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares, noise levels measured over 70 decibels during a recent survey. A reporter noted that while ambient audio is usually turned off during recordings, it was deliberately kept on to capture the overwhelming noise residents endure daily.
For many locals, the cacophony has become so familiar that it often goes unnoticed. Qingqi rickshaws are among the main contributors to the noise pollution on Lahore’s streets. Drivers report that the persistent engine noise hampers communication and causes fatigue.
One rickshaw driver explained, “The noise from the vehicle affects your head after driving all day.” Another added that passengers frequently have to tap him on the shoulder because their voices are drowned out by the engine’s sound.
The health consequences are more severe for those exposed to such noise over long periods. Muhammad Ramzan, a taxi driver, shared that he has completely lost hearing in one ear and has only limited hearing in the other due to prolonged exposure.
Medical experts confirm that sustained exposure to noise above 60 decibels can damage the auditory nerve and lead to hearing impairment. Dr. Nakhbatullah Awan emphasized the vulnerability of the sensitive cells and nerves responsible for hearing.
Beyond hearing loss, noise pollution also affects mental well-being. Experts highlight that constant noise can elevate cortisol levels, keeping individuals in a heightened state of stress and irritability, which can strain personal relationships.
Currently, Lahore has only a few designated silence zones, including parts of Jail Road and the vicinity of Jinnah Hospital in Faisal Town. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is conducting surveys to identify additional areas, particularly around hospitals and schools, that could be declared silence zones.
Ali Ejaz, Deputy Director Environment at the EPA, stated that the agency is actively working to expand these zones to protect vulnerable populations.
Pakistan’s existing laws impose penalties for excessive noise from vehicles and sound systems. Lawyer Nasir Kamboh noted that the Motor Vehicles Ordinance and Pakistan Penal Code include fines and imprisonment for certain noise-related offenses.
The Lahore Traffic Police have also taken steps against vehicles equipped with pressure horns. Chief Traffic Officer Abdul Raheem Shirazi revealed that 44,000 challans were issued this year to drivers using loud horns.
He stressed the need for legal amendments and the establishment of no-horn zones around schools and hospitals to better control noise pollution.
However, officials and experts agree that enforcement alone will not suffice. With traffic volumes increasing in one of Pakistan’s largest cities, tackling noise pollution will require enhanced public awareness and changes in driver behavior to safeguard health and quality of life.
