NAGPUR: While Nagpur’s skyline is rapidly evolving, so too are the levels of noise pollution. Citizens face challenges as construction noise permeates from residential areas to bustling commercial districts, disrupting their ability to live, study, or rest.
The incessant sounds of drilling, hammering, and scraping have turned unbearable for residents, students, seniors, and even young adults.
From dawn until dusk, residents are plagued by the clamor of metal striking metal, cement mixers roaring, and heavy machinery rumbling. Work often starts at 6 am and can extend until 10 or even 11 pm, leaving almost no respite from the din. To adhere to deadlines, builders are reportedly working for 16 to 18 hours a day, seemingly indifferent to the impact on local residents’ mental and physical well-being.
“It feels like we are living inside a construction site,” shared Minakshi Joshi, a Manish Nagar resident. “The constant hammering begins before sunrise and continues late into the night. My children are struggling to study, and we’re constantly stressed and exhausted.”
The noise issue is pervasive, affecting residents throughout areas like Manish Nagar, Pratap Nagar, Besa, Hingna, Ramdaspeth, Dhantoli, Mahal, and Wardha Road — everywhere is resonating with construction sounds.
Almost every neighborhood is home to a new housing project, high-rise, commercial complex, or government construction, creating a cacophony that has transformed peaceful areas into noisy disturbances.
Beyond the auditory chaos, citizens also contend with dust, debris, and obstructed pathways. Construction materials are often carelessly dumped on roadsides, while sand and gravel from trucks coat nearby homes and shops in dust. This unsightly and polluted environment is heightening residents’ frustrations.
Despite numerous complaints, residents contend that authorities, including the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and city police, have made little effort to resolve the situation.
“Every time we report to NMC, they caution the contractor, but work continues. After a while, they even told me to tolerate it temporarily,” noted another resident from Narendra Nagar. He added that the police have also failed to take action despite repeated notifications: “The police only intervene if construction is ongoing past 10 pm, which is already quite late. The noise starts at 6 am, far too early for anyone. Our children are becoming anxious, yet our concerns go unheard.”
Ongoing disturbances are creating tension within households. Many residents confess that irritation and sleep deprivation are triggering frequent disputes. “Even minor issues escalate into arguments. My wife often urges me to confront the builder, but he disregards us and the authorities. These confrontations often lead to fights,” recounted Suresh Gaidhane, another Manish Nagar resident.
Citizens are now calling on civic authorities to establish clear construction time regulations and enforce stricter monitoring of noise levels. They argue that while development is essential, it should not come at the cost of their peace of mind and health.
