In Mumbai’s Cacophonous Traffic, a Quest for Quiet: Noise Pollution Plagues India’s Megacity

In the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, India, traffic noise is as ubiquitous as the city’s humidity. Drivers honk persistently, not only at pedestrians or other vehicles but also to navigate traffic signals or when they feel the signals have failed them.

A quick survey conducted by an unnamed organization at a busy intersection revealed 27 honks in just one minute during peak hours. Traffic constable Vikas Rahane, working his afternoon-to-evening shift, confirmed that this number is typical but expects it to escalate further during the evening rush hour, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The constant honking has caused sleep deprivation for Rahane and even hearing loss in some of his colleagues.

Under Indian law, traffic police can issue penalties of up to $25 for excessive or unnecessary honking. However, Subhash Shinde, a senior officer, notes that with the city’s chaotic roads, their primary focus remains keeping the traffic flowing and ensuring pedestrian safety. Honking violations rank relatively low on their list of priorities.

A 2019 study revealed average noise levels in Mumbai often exceed 80 decibels, comparable to busy Manhattan streets but louder. The World Health Organization recommends a maximum of 55 decibels, making Mumbai’s noise pollution well above safe limits.

Traffic is one of the leading contributors to this problem in cities worldwide. In India, however, there’s an additional factor. Many residents believe that driving without honking is impossible as vehicles will not move out of the way if they do not signal. Sumaira Abdulali, founder of the Awaaz Foundation, a nonprofit focused on noise pollution control, notes that while this belief persists, constant honking does not actually help traffic flow.

Constantly stalled traffic leads to more honking, which combines with the noise generated by road, railway, bridge, and housing construction projects that often operate round-the-clock in Mumbai. In a city of 20 million people, where most sidewalks are deteriorated, getting stuck in slow-moving traffic can sound like a rock concert.

Abdulali explains that horns can reach up to 120 decibels and are becoming increasingly louder. To cater to this demand, numerous shops along CST Road offer extra-loud horns. One such shopkeeper demonstrates the variety of horns they sell, including flat, punchy, musical, barking dog, and screaming horns—the latter affectionately known as “the ladies.”

Noor Mohammed, a local shop owner, notes that their bestselling horns can be classified into two types: “titi” horns (flat tone) and “pom pom” horns (air-pressure). The former is primarily used in bikes, rickshaws, and hatchbacks, while the latter is popular among SUV and bus drivers. Mohammed reports a recent surge in demand for “pom pom” horns, with pedestrians more likely to move when these loud horns are used.

These louder and more durable horns have not led to improved road safety, however. Over 150,000 people die each year in road accidents across India, with numbers steadily increasing. To address this issue, India’s Road and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari once proposed replacing all vehicle horns with ones playing Indian classical instruments like the flute, harmonium, or violin to make them softer on the ears.

Environmentalist Abdulali believes such a change would create more problems, as it could lead to a cacophony of different types of music. Instead, she emphasizes treating noise pollution as a public health concern and combating it through enforcing regulations and promoting civic sense. Until that happens, Abdulali continues her efforts to be heard above the din.