Study warns of rising levels across major zones
Abdul Wahab Khan
Panaji: Traffic noise at most residential, commercial and silence-zone intersections in Goa has already exceeded the permissible environmental noise capacity and is projected to worsen alongside rising traffic volumes, according to a study by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), New Delhi.
Titled ‘Analysis of Urban Noise Condition at Different Intersections in Goa,’ the research paper was published in the July 2026 issue of Indian Highways. The study assessed traffic noise at 33 major intersections across the state.
The researchers conducted 24-hour noise monitoring in 2023 and utilised the CSIR-CRRI Road Traffic Noise (RTN) model to project noise levels for 2025, 2030, 2035, 2040 and 2045 across commercial, residential, industrial and silence zones.
The 24-hour traffic counts revealed that 20 intersections recorded daily volumes under 1,00,000 vehicles, while 10 registered between 1,00,000 and 2,00,000. Arlem Circle recorded the highest daily traffic volume at 2,77,419 vehicles, whereas Nehru Park recorded the lowest at 18,429.
Arlem Circle, Chogm-B B Borkar Road, Colva Circle and Saligao Junction were identified among the spots with very high traffic density. Overall, motorised two-wheelers comprised approximately 59% of total traffic, followed by small cars at 22%, large cars at 6%, goods vehicles at 5% and auto-rickshaws at 6%.
The RTN model predicted a steady rise in noise levels, with Dabolim Airport, Calangute-Baga Circle and the Mapusa bus stand consistently displaying higher projected levels. Environmental Noise Capacity (ENC) was evaluated by comparing observed and projected levels against permissible standards prescribed under IRC:SP:130-2022.
An ENC value greater than zero indicates that prevailing noise has breached an area’s permissible capacity, a threshold already exceeded across most residential, commercial and silence-zone sites.
Conversely, industrial locations like Rawanfond Circle, Chowgule Dock, Cuncolim, and Dabolim Airport remained within industrial limits, though researchers cautioned that their noise levels still substantially exceeded the World Health Organisation recommendations for minimising adverse health effects.
To address the growing issue, the study recommended an integrated approach combining traffic management, engineering interventions, land-use planning and regulatory enforcement. Key proposals include strictly enforcing no-honking zones near sensitive areas, deploying adaptive traffic signals, streamlining parking and restricting heavy vehicles during peak hours.
Suggested engineering measures entail low-noise road surfaces, properly designed noise barriers, roadside green belts and prompt pothole maintenance.
For high-density residential areas like Arlem Circle, Saligao Junction and Navelim Circle, the report urged the immediate implementation of no-honking zones, traffic regulation and low-noise pavements. In tourism belts, including Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Candolim, Miramar and Vagator, researchers advocated for acoustic treatment at event venues, limits on late-night entertainment, and continuous monitoring.
The report advised installing transparent noise barriers near residential pockets surrounding Dabolim Airport, enforcing nighttime heavy-vehicle restrictions along forest corridors like the Dharbandora-Panaji-Belagavi road and prioritising machinery maintenance alongside green belts in industrial zones.
The study has been co-authored by Prof Manoranjan Parida of IIT Roorkee, Nasim Akhtar, Ch Ravi Sekhar and Adarsh Yadav of CSIR-CRRI, and S K Gupta of Envirotech Instruments Pvt. Ltd.
