Delhiites may celebrate a less noisy Diwali next year with the State government’s Environment Department considering a move to lower the permissible level of sound emitted by firecrackers.
Apart from the smoke and metallic elements that pollute the air after the festive season, high decibel levels can lead to stress, hypertension and loss of hearing.
The current sound limit for each firecrackers is 125 decibels.
Sound up to 70 decibels is considered safe for humans.
“We are looking at tightening the norms by only allowing sale of firecrackers that emit 90 decibels or less in Delhi. We can’t change the norms for manufacturers as that is done at an all-India level,” said Ashwani Kuamr, Secretary of the Environment and Forest Department.
Officials say they can’t prevent firecrackers with higher sound levels manufactured outside Delhi from entering the markets, but they can make it illegal for shopkeepers to stock such products. Officials are even considering making the decibel level among the provisions of the licences given to firecracker sellers.
The move comes after the National Green Tribunal upheld West Bengal’s decision to cap the sound level for firecrackers at 90 decibels last week.
The tribunal had ordered the State Pollution Control Board to issue a notification on the new norms.
Environmental activists have welcomed the move. They say that if implemented in Delhi, the stricter norm would help deal with the poor air quality in the national Capital.
“The Delhi government now has the precedent to take the call. They are empowered under the Air Act to lower the level,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, head of the Centre for Science and Environment’s air pollution control campaign.
But, she added, that the new norm must be accompanied by stricter enforcement and a widespread public awareness programme.
“The government must conduct surprise checks in the markets and carry out a campaign to inform people about the health hazards associated with the use of firecrackers,” said Ms. Roychowdhury.
