Section Article

Social Consequences of Noise Pollution in Metro Cities
Author(s): Umesh Kumar

Abstract
Noise pollution often an overlooked environmental issue has emerged as a chronic and escalating concern in rapidly urbanizing metro cities. Unlike visible forms of pollution noise is intangible yet pervasive affecting millions daily. This paper examines the social consequences of noise pollution in Indian metropolitan areas exploring its impact on public health community relationships educational performance work productivity and social behavior. Drawing from field studies urban health reports and qualitative interviews conducted in Delhi Mumbai Bengaluru and Kolkata the paper illustrates how excessive noise—stemming from traffic construction religious events and nightlife—erodes social cohesion fosters irritation reduces attention spans and contributes to psychological stress. The findings suggest that noise pollution is not merely an environmental issue but a deeply social one influencing interpersonal relations civic behavior and urban quality of life. The study calls for stricter noise regulation policies urban design interventions and public awareness to mitigate the silent crisis affecting the social fabric of metro cities.