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Monumental malady
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Stringent measures against traffic and noise pollution are the only way to save Charminar from succumbing to the environmental hazard.
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DEATH KNELL: The heavy traffic is exacting a toll on the ancient monument. - Photo: P.V.Sivakumar
HYDERABAD'S VERY identity is at stake. The 400-year-old monumental Charminar, could very soon become history for posterity if noise pollution levels and the vehicular traffic movement in the area are not arrested immediately.
Voicing concern at this, National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) deputy director M. Kousalya said the present levels of noise pollution and vibrational tremors caused due to the traffic movement in the Charminar area was very alarming. "As against the permissible limits of 2.9 millimetre per second, the underground vibrations due to heavy traffic movement in the vicinity of the area often reach a peak particle velocity of over 7.5 millimetre per second," she informed.
"This is extremely hazardous for the existence of the age-old monument as it even violates the British criteria for architectural damage caused by vibration of vehicular traffic, which has been pegged at a maximum level of 5 millimetre per second," she rued.
On the occasion of the World Environment Day on June 5 held at the Institution of Engineers, where she spoke on "Monuments and Environment," she cautioned that the cumulative bombardment of the vibrations caused by the movement of traffic in and around the Charminar is so high that unless it is checked substantially, it will spell doom for the historical Qutb Shahi monument over the years. "The average movement of traffic in the area is about 1,000 vehicles per hour during the peak time presently as against 500 vehicles per hour in the year 1997. With an average traffic index of 14, which is considered to be very high, the situation is really alarming," she informed. Kousalya was quoting the findings of the NGRI study on Charminar, which was conducted recently for the Archaeological Survey of India. The ground vibration geophysical studies at each Minar by powerful seismometers and sensors indicated that during the "quiet period", the amplitude of vibration is very low as compared during the peak hours. "The impact of the vibration and the noise pollution is such that one can actually feel the Charminar literally shaking during peak hours," she said.
"The peak sound level that was recorded came to about 105 decibels which apart from being detrimental to the human ear was also exacting a heavy toll on the ancient monument," she said.
Eminent scientist and NGRI director Dr. V.P. Dimri explained that the noise levels prevailing in the area coupled with the incredible traffic movement are having a "cascading effect" on the Charminar. "Due to the bombardment of signals transmitted by vehicular traffic, the entire structure has weakened considerably and based on mathematical calculations it can be found out when the Charminar actually starts showing creaks and crags," he added.
Observers and environmentalists have since long made an equivocal appeal to segregate the Charminar by at least a distance of 500 metres, like the Taj Mahal, so that vehicular traffic is regulated initially and then totally stopped later on after alternative road arrangements were made. "But there has not been any substantial progress regarding their long pressed demand," Dr. Dimri regrettedSeconding him, social observer and noted scholar Dr Audesh Bawa said, "Actually, this should have been done long back. . And if proper measures are not taken to control the traffic and noise pollution levels, the Charminar could actually become a thing of the past," she said.
Imagine if that actually were to come true, we would be telling our coming generations that `once upon a time there used to stand a splendid piece of architecture in Hyderabad which had four minarets and was called the Charminar.' What an ignominy it would be for us if such a day were to come.
SOUVIK CHOWDHURY
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