2 days Ago
Noise pollution in Bangladesh has escalated to alarming levels, posing significant threats to public health and the environment. The increasing prevalence of loud music at social events, excessive honking in traffic, relentless mechanical noise from construction sites, and industrial operations have made high-decibel sounds a regular aspect of urban life. The problem is particularly acute in cities such as Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rajshahi, where noise levels far exceed safe limits.
According to a 2022 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report , Dhaka ranked as the world's noisiest city with average noise levels of 119 decibels, followed by Rajshahi at 103 decibels. These figures far surpass the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended limits—55 decibels for residential areas and 70 decibels for commercial spaces during the day. WHO's 2018 guidelines reduced the safe limit to 53 decibels, mirrored by the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act and the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules.
Main noise sources include chaotic traffic, hydraulic horns, outdated engines, construction work, and loudspeakers at public events. Airports and railway stations further amplify this constant high-decibel environment. The WHO estimates that over five percent of the global population suffers from noise-related issues.
The safe noise is now considered to be 55 decibels. Levels above 65 decibels may cause heart problems; over 90 can lead to ulcers, hearing loss, and nervous disorders. At 120 decibels, noise can cause pain and permanent hearing damage.
Prolonged exposure contributes to stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Children are particularly vulnerable. Noise impairs their concentration and development.
Older adults exposed to noise may experience cognitive decline, worsening conditions like dementia. Noise pollution also harms wildlife. Animals rely on sound for survival; excess noise forces them to change habitats and disrupts breeding.
In aquatic environments, industrial and ship noise interferes with marine life like dolphins and whales that use echolocation for navigation and hunting. Bangladesh introduced the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2006 , to address this crisis. These rules categorise five zones: silent, residential, mixed, commercial, and industrial.
According to the law, authorities are required to mark these areas with signals or signs. Each zone has specific noise limits for day and night. Silent zones include hospitals, schools, offices, and the surrounding 100 metres where the limit is 50 decibels during the day and 40 at night, and horn use is strictly prohibited.
For residential zones, the day limit is 55 decibels and 45 at night. The rules allow exceptions for social, cultural, and political events such as weddings, concerts, fairs, and sports, provided permission is sought in advance. Such events can exceed limits for five hours a day, up to 10 pm.
Violating these limits is a punishable offence. Despite these detailed regulations, enforcement is weak, and violations are rampant. Government and law enforcement activities and programmes by faith-based groups are exempt from these rules, allowing sirens, horns, and loudspeakers to operate unchecked, often disturbing daily life.
During the 2025 New Year celebrations, over 1,000 noise-related complaints were made to the emergency helpline 999, yet only a few prompted action, highlighting the gap between regulation and implementation. Penalties include up to one month in jail and/or a Tk 5,000 fine, with repeat offenders facing up to six months' imprisonment and/or a Tk 10,000 fine. However, these penalties are too lenient to deter transport operators and event organisers.
Additionally, residential power generators, a significant noise source, remain unregulated. Public awareness is also a major hurdle. Most people are unaware of the rules, permitted noise limits, complaint processes, and permission procedures.
The law is rarely discussed, and no large-scale public campaigns exist. As a result, the law is ineffective not only due to lax enforcement but also because of public ignorance. Awareness campaigns, media involvement, and education programmes are crucial.
When people understand the risks and legal boundaries, they are more likely to report violations and support action. Additionally, stricter enforcement is essential. Authorities must increase penalties, implement real-time noise monitoring, and regulate horn use and loudspeakers more strictly.
Other countries strictly control honking and penalise loud residential music—Bangladesh must follow suit. Technology can also help. Installing noise barriers, encouraging quieter vehicles, and maintaining silent zones around schools and hospitals are important.
Urban planning should include noise-reducing designs, such as better road layouts and soundproof buildings. Public celebrations should promote quieter practices, and fireworks and event sound systems must be strictly regulated. Noise pollution is a growing crisis in Bangladesh, severely affecting public health, wildlife, and quality of life.
Although laws exist, weak enforcement and a lack of awareness allow violations to continue unchecked. The problem is not solely the public's fault—government negligence and lack of transparency also play a role. Solving this issue demands a collective effort from government, law enforcement, planners, and the public.
Strengthened laws, increased awareness, technological interventions, and better planning are the keys to creating a quieter, healthier Bangladesh for all. Md. Yeasir Arafat is an undergraduate student at Department of Political Science at University of Rajshahi.
He can be reached at [email protected] . Fahmida is an undergraduate student at Department of Bangla at Rajshahi College. She can be reached at [email protected] .
Views expressed in this article are the author's own. Follow The Daily Star Opinion on Facebook for the latest opinions, commentaries, and analyses by experts and professionals. To contribute your article or letter to The Daily Star Opinion, see our submission guidelines .
Noise pollution in Bangladesh has escalated to alarming levels, posing significant threats to public health and the environment. The increasing prevalence of loud music at social events, excessive honking in traffic, relentless mechanical noise from construction sites, and industrial operations have made high-decibel sounds a regular aspect of urban life. The problem is particularly acute in cities such as Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rajshahi, where noise levels far exceed safe limits.
According to a 2022 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report , Dhaka ranked as the world's noisiest city with average noise levels of 119 decibels, followed by Rajshahi at 103 decibels. These figures far surpass the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended limits—55 decibels for residential areas and 70 decibels for commercial spaces during the day. WHO's 2018 guidelines reduced the safe limit to 53 decibels, mirrored by the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act and the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules.
Main noise sources include chaotic traffic, hydraulic horns, outdated engines, construction work, and loudspeakers at public events. Airports and railway stations further amplify this constant high-decibel environment. The WHO estimates that over five percent of the global population suffers from noise-related issues.
The safe noise is now considered to be 55 decibels. Levels above 65 decibels may cause heart problems; over 90 can lead to ulcers, hearing loss, and nervous disorders. At 120 decibels, noise can cause pain and permanent hearing damage.
Prolonged exposure contributes to stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Children are particularly vulnerable. Noise impairs their concentration and development.
Older adults exposed to noise may experience cognitive decline, worsening conditions like dementia. Noise pollution also harms wildlife. Animals rely on sound for survival; excess noise forces them to change habitats and disrupts breeding.
In aquatic environments, industrial and ship noise interferes with marine life like dolphins and whales that use echolocation for navigation and hunting. Bangladesh introduced the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2006 , to address this crisis. These rules categorise five zones: silent, residential, mixed, commercial, and industrial.
According to the law, authorities are required to mark these areas with signals or signs. Each zone has specific noise limits for day and night. Silent zones include hospitals, schools, offices, and the surrounding 100 metres where the limit is 50 decibels during the day and 40 at night, and horn use is strictly prohibited.
For residential zones, the day limit is 55 decibels and 45 at night. The rules allow exceptions for social, cultural, and political events such as weddings, concerts, fairs, and sports, provided permission is sought in advance. Such events can exceed limits for five hours a day, up to 10 pm.
Violating these limits is a punishable offence. Despite these detailed regulations, enforcement is weak, and violations are rampant. Government and law enforcement activities and programmes by faith-based groups are exempt from these rules, allowing sirens, horns, and loudspeakers to operate unchecked, often disturbing daily life.
During the 2025 New Year celebrations, over 1,000 noise-related complaints were made to the emergency helpline 999, yet only a few prompted action, highlighting the gap between regulation and implementation. Penalties include up to one month in jail and/or a Tk 5,000 fine, with repeat offenders facing up to six months' imprisonment and/or a Tk 10,000 fine. However, these penalties are too lenient to deter transport operators and event organisers.
Additionally, residential power generators, a significant noise source, remain unregulated. Public awareness is also a major hurdle. Most people are unaware of the rules, permitted noise limits, complaint processes, and permission procedures.
The law is rarely discussed, and no large-scale public campaigns exist. As a result, the law is ineffective not only due to lax enforcement but also because of public ignorance. Awareness campaigns, media involvement, and education programmes are crucial.
When people understand the risks and legal boundaries, they are more likely to report violations and support action. Additionally, stricter enforcement is essential. Authorities must increase penalties, implement real-time noise monitoring, and regulate horn use and loudspeakers more strictly.
Other countries strictly control honking and penalise loud residential music—Bangladesh must follow suit. Technology can also help. Installing noise barriers, encouraging quieter vehicles, and maintaining silent zones around schools and hospitals are important.
Urban planning should include noise-reducing designs, such as better road layouts and soundproof buildings. Public celebrations should promote quieter practices, and fireworks and event sound systems must be strictly regulated. Noise pollution is a growing crisis in Bangladesh, severely affecting public health, wildlife, and quality of life.
Although laws exist, weak enforcement and a lack of awareness allow violations to continue unchecked. The problem is not solely the public's fault—government negligence and lack of transparency also play a role. Solving this issue demands a collective effort from government, law enforcement, planners, and the public.
Strengthened laws, increased awareness, technological interventions, and better planning are the keys to creating a quieter, healthier Bangladesh for all. Md. Yeasir Arafat is an undergraduate student at Department of Political Science at University of Rajshahi.
He can be reached at [email protected] . Fahmida is an undergraduate student at Department of Bangla at Rajshahi College. She can be reached at [email protected] .
Views expressed in this article are the author's own. Follow The Daily Star Opinion on Facebook for the latest opinions, commentaries, and analyses by experts and professionals. To contribute your article or letter to The Daily Star Opinion, see our submission guidelines .
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