Ranchi, June 27: As the noise level of the city has increased by 25 per cent in the past one year, citizens are becoming more prone to aural and cardiac diseases.

Recently, a survey was carried out by Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) at different commercial areas, residential areas and industrial areas.

During the survey it was found that the noise level was at its peak at Ratu Road bus stand, a commercial area. It was 84.3 decibel. It is followed by Sujata cinema, Main Road, where the noise level was recorded 80.8 decibel and at Kantatoli Chowk the figure stands at 79.5. At Albert Ekka Chowk the noise level was 78.2 decibel, at Sadar Hospital, a silence zone, it was 78.2 decibel and 78.6 decibel at Lalpur Chowk.

Senior environment engineer of JSPCB S.K. Singh told The Telegraph that noise level in the city have gone up due to the increase in the number of vehicles, which are plying on the road.

?During the survey we found that the noise level was maximum in the commercial areas like Ratu Road bus stand. The number of vehicles plying in this area was maximum in comparison to other areas of the city, which was the main reason for the increase in the noise level,? he added.

At Tupudana, an industrial area, the noise level recorded was 66.6 decibel, near Vidhan Sabha, a residential area, it was 60.7 decibel, at Birsa Chowk 76.9 decibel, at Hinoo Chowk 78.2 decibel, at Shayamli Colony, also a residential area, the noise level recorded was 62.6 decibel and at Harmu Chowk 72.3 decibel.

A city-based doctor Pran Ranjan Prasad said due to higher noise level a person may suffer from mental depression and thinking capacity would also decrease. ?The greatest consequence of the increasing noise pollution is that maximum number of people are suffering from insomnia. There are a number of patients who are suffering from sleeping disorder and are visiting the doctors for advice. Likewise, cases of mental depression have also shot up and we get patients who are unable to relate to the real situations. They do not have clear-cut ideas what they are doing,? added Prasad.

Sangeeta Kumari, one of the resident of Kantatoli Chowk, said maximum number of buses and trucks ply on this road. During the night they are unable to sleep properly due to the noise of the vehicles.

?Often even my children complain about headache and anxiety. My father-in-law, who is a heart patient, is also suffering a lot. I have decided to change my residence to some other area since it has really become irritating for the entire family,? she said.