he short corridor that stretches from Bacha Khan Chowk, formerly known as Chargano Chowk, to Firdous and connects Charsadda Road with the famous Grand Trank Road houses one of the busiest and noisiest markets in Peshawar.

Heading southwards on foot and bypassing the phatak itself is a feat. It is here that pedestrians encounter dozens of portable mini loudspeakers blaring out crackled messages and advertisements.

These loudspeakers are of different sizes and varieties. Their messages are dissonant too. Some extoll the merits of freshly-squeezed orange juice on sale at a discount and others, in repetitive rather unfriendly vocals, sell free SIM cards with free data and minutes. Here stands a man on the footpath, loudly praising a two-in-one poison that kills rats and mice and there, in a corner, are men selling footwear. Amidst all the chaos stands a fish seller, bellowing on the top of his voice, inviting passers-by to try his special deep fried fish.

All these vendors have one thing in common; the excessive use of mini-loudspeakers hawking out their wares. It is this chorus of irritating recorded voices that greets people as they enter the market.

Noise pollution is an emerging challenge in Peshawar. To restrain noise, some citizens have lodged complaints with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Tariq Afghan, an advocate of Peshawar High Court, recently submitted a complaint regarding the rising noise pollution in several of the city’s markets to EPA director general’s office. “The EPA officials were trying to divert the matter to the Transport Department. When I identified the relevant sections of the EPA Act, they agreed to take up the complaint and promised necessary action. Unfortunately, several months have passed but no action has been taken,” complains Tariq Afghan.

Like air and water pollution, noise is becoming a serious issue in the city. Those living near the busy markets are facing constant disturbance.

The noise of portable mini- loudspeakers in the markets, small industry units and traffic is not a mere annoyance; it can disturb sleep and adversely impact the mental health of citizens. According to Dr Mian Iftikhar Hussain, a consultant psychiatrist based in Peshawar, exposure to noise is a significant threat. “A serene environment is important for mental well-being. If citizens are constantly living with noise, it can adversely impact their mental health,” he says. “Exposure to noise leads to irritability, headache, lack of concentration and lack of sound sleep. Both children and adults are affected by this,” he says.

Like air and water pollution, noise is also becoming a serious issue in the city. Those living near busy markets are facing constant disturbance. The noise of portable mini- loudspeakers in the markets, small industry units and traffic is not a mere annoyance; it can disturb sleep and adversely impact the mental health of citizens.

The unnecessary use of portable mini-loudspeakers by vendors in public places and the use of pressure horns by truck drivers are the main sources of noise pollution in the city. According to Tariq Afghan, up to 80 per cent of public transport vehicles use pressure horns. He points out that despite there being a law in place to check the level of noise in the city, the noise level is consistently rising.

“Clause 3 of Pakistan Environmental Protection and Motor Vehicle Regulations 2016 provide that a person shall not operate a vehicle that emits air pollutants or noise in an amount that exceeds the National Environmental Quality Standards for vehicular emissions,” he says.

Last year, in collaboration with Peshawar Traffic Police, the EPA had launched a crackdown against the use of pressure horns in Peshawar. Stern action is also required against the excessive use of portable mini-loudspeakers in the fruit and vegetable markets.

The response of the human ear to sound depends on sound frequency measured in Hertz and the sound pressure measured in decibels. A normal ear can detect sounds with frequencies from 20Hz to 20,000Hz. Sounds at 0-10dB are so quiet that they are almost impossible to hear. At the top end of the scale, at around 150dB, sound can damage eardrums.

A study conducted by Khyber Medical College reveals that the noise level produced by public transport vehicle horns in the city is 95db. Pressure horns on some trucks produce 104dB sound.

The Motor Vehicle Rules 1969 are very clear about noise pollution. Section 154(2) states that no motor vehicle shall be fitted with a multi-tone horn giving a succession of different notes or with any other sound-producing device giving an unduly harsh, shrill, loud or alarming noise. “Every motor vehicle shall be so constructed and maintained as not to cause undue noise when in motion,” reads Section 158.

Section 16 of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Protection Act 2014 deals with motor vehicle regulation but no action has been taken on the ground against the rising noise pollution in the city.

According to experts, people from areas where the noise level is beyond the permissible limit suffer from anxiety, sleep disorders, restlessness and tinnitus. “Short temper, lack of tolerance, aggressive behaviour and becoming violent are the consequences of exposure to noise,” says Dr Mian Iftikhar Hussain.

The writer is a freelance multimedia journalist. He tweets @daudpasaney