India, Sept. 27 -- In spite of public protests and stricter enforcement by police on sound systems, the Ganesh immersion procession was louder in the Laxmi Road area this year compared to last year. The COEP Technological University and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) recorded an average of 104.5 dB across ten junctions in the area, up from 92.6 dB in 2025. Every junction registered an increase, exposing the gap between the city's noise-control promises and the sound levels on the street.

The readings climbed from an average of 98.7 dB at noon on September 25 to 113.4 dB at 4 pm. They remained above 110 dB at 8 pm and midnight, before falling to 85.2 dB by 8 am on September 26. The highest individual reading was 115.4 dB at Go...