Noise pollution in Delhi witnessed an upward trend this Diwali compared with other metros like Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
However, air pollution was found to be on the lower side this year vis-à-vis previous year’s Diwali, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) noise and air pollution data released on Monday.
According to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the city recorded the lowest air pollution level figures this Diwali in the past five years.
The CPCB’s real time continuous ambient noise monitoring at five locations — Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology (NSIT), CPCB, Delhi College of Engineering (DCE), Dilshad Garden recorded an average of 58 dB(A), 62 dB(A), 52 dB(A) and 56 dB(A), respectively this year.
However, last year, the same locations recorded an average value of 56 dB(A), 58 dB(A), 50 dB(A), and 49 dB(A), respectively.
The findings of the committee attributed the rise in noise level to the bursting of noisy crackers t, said scientist A.K. Sinha.
Similarly, round-the-clock ambient air quality monitoring was carried out on November 3 at seven monitoring stations of CPCB, namely Pragati Maidan Metro Station, Pitampura, Siri Fort, Janakpuri, Nizamuddin, Shahzada Bagh, and Shahdara.
Sulphur dioxide concentration on the festive day decreased at five locations, while the values increased at two locations in comparison to last year.
The SO2 concentration ranged between 5 m3 and 56 m3 compared with 3 m3 and 63 m3 last year. SO2 levels have been found within the prescribed standard of 80 g/m3 at all the locations.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration also remained on the lower side, ranging between 26 m3 and 87 m3 compared with 44 m3 and 85 m3 in 2012.
The NO2 levels are within the prescribed standard of 80 m3 at six locations except Shahzada Bagh.
Particulate matter levels have shown an increasing trend at all the locations this year compared with last year.
Respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) values ranged between 796 m3 and 1138 m3 compared with 748 m3 and 951 m3 during Diwali last year.
Increased particulate matter levels values in general may be attributed to adverse meteorological conditions, like lower night time temperature, low mixing height and low wind speed.
