Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has installed a digital screen at M.G Road ‘Namma Metro’ railway station to create awareness about sound pollution among the public.

The screen shows the level of noise pollution in different areas. The timings have been divided as 6 am to 10 pm and 10 pm to 6 am. The locations include industrial areas, residential areas, sensitive areas like a hospital, school and colleges etc.

Along with this noise, limits are given in different areas like commercial, residential, industrial and in silence. Commuters can compare the noise levels to make out the present condition.

The board has installed similar screens in R.V College campus and ‘Parisara Bhavana’ premises in Church Street.

“Bengaluru is one among the 8 most polluted (sound) cities identified by the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest, and Climate change. So, the department has directed to take steps to create awareness among the public. Accordingly, we are testing sound pollution in 10 places of the city every minute. This information is reached to the public so that they can also take measures,” one of the members said.

The KSPCB has a plan to install bigger (14×12 feet) digital screen near Vidhana Soudha to show sound pollution in various places of the city. Same will be extended to few other parts and also to the district centres at a cost of Rs.1.2 crore.

Scientists warn that sound pollution may cause permanent deafness or loss of short-term memory. Vehicle horn is a major reason for the raise in pollution, they said.