Pune Ganeshotsav 2026: These 20 Mandals Recorded the Highest Noise Levels, MPCB Data Shows

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 26th September 2026: Noise levels recorded during Pune’s 2026 Ganesh festival showed an overall decline compared with the corresponding monitoring exercise in 2025, according to preliminary data compiled for the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). However, the findings also reveal several high-noise pockets, with 21 readings crossing 90 decibels during the monitoring period.

The preliminary dataset covers 200 locations across Pune and contains measurements from September 14 to September 25, 2026. Each location was monitored for maximum, minimum and equivalent continuous sound levels. The equivalent continuous sound level, or Leq, represents the average noise exposure over the measurement period and offers a more reliable indication of sustained noise than a momentary maximum reading.
MPCB’s final report is expected to take more than a week to complete.

The figures presently available should therefore be treated as provisional and could be revised after scrutiny, validation and compilation of the final report.

An analysis of the preliminary figures shows that the average Leq across the 2,400 readings recorded in 2026 was approximately 74.8 dB, compared with about 79.03 dB in the 2025 comparison data. This amounts to a provisional year-on-year reduction of approximately 4.23 dB. The median sound level also declined from 77.9 dB in 2025 to 74.7 dB in 2026.

The reduction was visible across a large majority of the monitoring points. When the twelve-day averages for individual locations were compared, 176 of the 200 places recorded lower average Leq levels in 2026, while 24 locations registered an increase.

A reading-by-reading comparison produced a similar result. Of the 2,400 paired observations, noise levels declined in 1,708 cases, increased in 679 cases and remained unchanged in 13 cases.

High-noise readings continue despite overall decline

Although the citywide figures indicate an improvement, sustained high noise levels were still reported at several Ganesh mandals and busy localities.

During the 2026 monitoring period, 308 readings were at or above 80 dB. Of these, 82 were at or above 85 dB, while 21 readings reached or crossed 90 dB. None of the 2026 Leq readings crossed 100 dB.

By comparison, the 2025 dataset contained 863 readings at or above 80 dB, 410 at or above 85 dB, 163 at or above 90 dB and 16 at or above 100 dB.

The highest equivalent continuous sound level recorded this year was 98.6 dB at Shivaji Sangh Mandal near Shaniwar Wada on September 19.

The same observation carried a momentary maximum reading of 103.9 dB.
The highest instantaneous maximum in the entire 2026 dataset was 110 dB at Seva Mitra Mantral in Shukrawar Peth on September 14. Its corresponding Leq was 96.8 dB, the second-highest sustained noise level recorded during the festival.

Sant Dyaneshwar Sarvajanik Mandal on FC Road occupied the third position, registering an Leq of 95.3 dB on September 23, along with a maximum reading of 107.3 dB.

Final-day average rises but remains below 2025 comparison

The preliminary data show that the average Leq on September 25, 2026, the final monitoring day, was approximately 76.86 dB. This was the highest daily average in the 2026 dataset but was still around 8.27 dB lower than the 85.13 dB average shown in the paired September 6, 2025 comparison block.

Several of the year’s highest readings were nevertheless recorded on September 25. Sai Sidhi Mitra Mandal in Yerwada registered 92.4 dB, while Sudrshan Mitra Mandal on FC Road and Vishvjot Mitra Mandal in Narayan Peth each recorded 90.3 dB. Other prominent final-day readings included 89.9 dB at Jai Hanuman Mitra Mandal in Swargate and Utkarsh Mitra Mandal on Jangali Maharaj Road.

The location-wise figures indicate that the noise burden was not restricted to Pune’s traditional central areas. High readings were reported from Yerwada, Sahakarnagar, Bibvewadi, Kothrud, Swargate and Erandawane, apart from Shaniwar Wada, Shukrawar Peth, Sadashiv Peth, Narayan Peth and Kasba Peth.

Top 20 highest sound levels recorded in 2026

The following ranking is based on the highest Leq recorded at each location during the twelve-day 2026 monitoring period. Leq has been used instead of the separate momentary maximum measurement. Names are reproduced substantially as recorded in the preliminary datasheet.
Shivaji Sangh Mandal (Shanivar Wada), Shaniwar Wada: 98.6 dB on September 19.
Seva Mitra Mantral (Shukrawar Peth), Shukrawar Peth: 96.8 dB on September 14.
Sant Dyaneshwar Sarvajanik Mandal, FC Road: 95.3 dB on September 23.
Sai Sidhi Mitra Mandal, Yerwada: 92.4 dB on September 25.
Jan Jagruti Mitra Mandal, Shukrawar Peth: 92.4 dB on September 14.
Krantiveer Chandrashekar Azad Mitra Mandal, Sahakarnagar: 92.1 dB on September 24.
Sudrshan Mitra Mandal, FC Road: 91.6 dB on September 17.
Kadabe Aali Talim Mandal, Shaniwar Peth: 91.4 dB on September 14.
Bharatmata Mitara Mandal, Kasba Peth: 91.3 dB on September 14.
Akhil Indiranagar Mitra Mandal, Bibvewadi: 91.3 dB on September 20.
Nimbalkar Talim Mandal, Sadashiv Peth: 90.5 dB on September 14.
Vishvjot Mitra Mandal, Narayan Peth: 90.3 dB on September 25.
Munjobacha Bole Tarun Mandal, Narayan Peth: 90.1 dB on September 18.
Nana Houd Tarun Mandal, Kasba Peth: 90 dB on September 16.
Utkarsh Mitra Mandal, Jangali Maharaj Road, Shivajinagar: 89.9 dB on September 25.
Jai Hanuman Mitra Mandal, Swargate: 89.9 dB on September 25.
Azad Mitra Mandal, Sadashiv Peth: 89.9 dB on September 14.
Sangam Mitra Mandal, Kothrud: 89.2 dB on September 20.
Babu Genu Mandal, Mandai: 89.2 dB on September 25.
Erandawane–Raaj Bag Tarun Mitra Mandal Alakar, Erandawane: 88.9 dB on September 25.

Final assessment must await validation
The preliminary findings point to a broad reduction in festival noise across Pune, but the concentration of readings above 85 dB and 90 dB shows that significant hotspots remain. The city’s central peth areas continue to feature prominently among the loudest locations, even as high readings are increasingly distributed across other neighbourhoods.

The present dataset does not provide the land-use classification—residential, commercial, industrial or silence zone—applicable to every monitoring point.