Dhaka’s overall noise pollution declines, but dangerous spikes persist in sensitive areas

A comprehensive comparative survey of ambient noise levels across 70 locations in Dhaka shows that although overall noise pollution has declined in much of the capital, several sensitive areas—including major hospitals, government offices and residential neighbourhoods—are experiencing significant increases.

The survey, conducted by the Department of Environment (DoE) as part of its study on “Noise Level Measurement in 64 District Towns,” compared data collected in 2022–23 with baseline measurements from 2016–17. It assessed noise levels across five land-use categories: silent, residential, mixed, commercial and industrial zones.

The findings reveal a mixed picture. Improved traffic management and broader structural changes have contributed to reductions in average maximum and minimum noise levels across many parts of Dhaka. However, several sensitive locations have recorded sharp increases, highlighting persistent pockets of severe noise pollution.

Silent zones, which are intended to provide quieter environments around hospitals and administrative institutions, have been particularly affected. The Bangladesh Secretariat area recorded increases in both maximum noise levels, reaching 126.5 decibels (dB), and minimum background noise levels, which rose to 72.1 dB.

Minimum noise levels—the continuous background sound heard even during relatively quiet periods—also increased significantly around several major healthcare facilities. These included the Mugdapara General Hospital area, the stretch between the Child Health Institute and the National Heart Foundation, and the busy corridor between PG Hospital and BIRDEM Hospital.

Farid Ahmed, director of DoE (Dhaka Metro) and project director, said the comparison showed that the maximum noise level around the Bangladesh Secretariat in the silent zone was higher than in the previous survey.

He noted that while minimum noise levels had declined in most silent-zone locations, they had increased around the Child Health Institute–Heart Foundation corridor, the Bangladesh Secretariat, Mugdapara General Hospital and the area between PG Hospital and BIRDEM Hospital.

According to DoE standards, permissible noise levels are 50 dB during the day and 40 dB at night in silent zones; 55 dB and 45 dB in residential areas; 60 dB and 50 dB in mixed zones; 70 dB and 60 dB in commercial areas; and 75 dB and 70 dB in industrial zones, respectively.

Residential areas see rising background noise

One of the survey’s key findings is the rise in minimum background noise across several established residential neighbourhoods. Even during relatively quiet periods, background noise has increased compared with levels recorded six years earlier.

Higher baseline noise levels were recorded in areas including Dhanmondi Road 5, Lalmatia, Gulshan Road 101, Khilgaon, Shahjahanpur and Eskaton in Shahbagh.

Older residential neighbourhoods also experienced notable increases. Raja Sreenath Street in Lalbagh and the Dholpur Road area in Jatrabari recorded rises in both minimum background noise and maximum peak levels.

Mixed and commercial zones

In mixed-use areas, several major traffic bottlenecks recorded higher peak noise levels. These included Jatrabari Shahid Faruk roundabout, Shankar, Dhanmondi and Shyamoli Mor.

Background noise also increased at several busy commercial and transit locations, including English Road, Nawabpur, Sayedabad, Gulistan and Shantinagar.

The highest maximum noise level recorded in the survey was 129.4 dB at the Jatrabari Shahid Faruk roundabout, located in a mixed-use zone in Dhaka.

Commercial areas generally recorded improvements in average noise levels, although Kakrail was an exception, registering a rise in maximum noise. Minimum background noise also increased in Motijheel’s Shapla Chattar, Kakrail, the area in front of Banglamotor BIP and Mirpur’s Benaroshi Palli.

Mixed trends in industrial areas

Noise trends in industrial zones were also uneven. Ceramic Road in Pallabi and Sat Rasta roundabout recorded higher maximum noise levels, while older industrial areas such as Hazaribagh experienced declines.

The Orion Group area in Tejgaon recorded a lower maximum peak than in the previous survey but saw an increase in its minimum background noise level.

Environmental experts say the findings highlight the need for more targeted enforcement of noise-control regulations. While overall noise levels have improved in many parts of Dhaka, rising noise around hospitals and residential areas points to the need for stricter anti-honking measures, better traffic management and specific acoustic protection measures around sensitive locations.