India, July 23 -- Decibel levels have shot up in the capital over the past few days as a steady stream of kanwariyas with boomboxes mounted on trucks make their way through the city for their annual pilgrimage.

Despite the noise levels exceeding permissible levels, the Delhi Police and traffic police have done little; officers said they feared interventions would lead to a law and order situation.

Data from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) showed locations in east Delhi on the Kanwar Yatra route are the worst impacted, with Shahdara recording the highest decibel levels.

On Tuesday, the 16-hour average decibel levels between 6 am and 10 pm were recorded at 87.5 dB(A), followed by an average of 75.6 dB(A) at the Karni Singh s...