The bad news is that air pollution continues to be higher during Diwali when thousands burst crackers across the city. The good news, however, is that this year’s Supreme Court-mandated restriction on crackers has seen pollution levels being nearly 33% lower than the festivities of 2017.
The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) during Diwali festivities (November 6-8) has improved by between 22% to as much as 44% when compared to 2017 (October 18-20), shows data collated by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB). The largest decrease was recorded in their monitoring station at NIMHANS where AQI of 83 was recorded, a significant drop from162 recorded last year. Even Mysuru Road saw a decrease to 127.7 compared to 204 last year.
Spike in pollution
KSPCB’s data shows that the average AQI during Diwali was 110, an increase of nearly 50% from the AQI of 73.5 observed between October 31 and November 5.
During non-Diwali days, out of the seven stations where air quality is monitored, only City Railway Station in the heart of the city recorded “moderate” air quality of 117 while the rest were “satisfactory” with an average of 66.3. During Diwali days, four stations recorded “moderate” air quality while three recorded “satisfactory”.
Pollution spiked on November 7 when much of the city celebrated Diwali. AQI was 163.7 on average during the day, nearly double the average on “normal” days.
Noise levels
In terms of noise, the city was slightly quieter when compared to 2017. KSPCB noted that levels were perceptible down in the industrial areas of Whitefield and Peenya.
‘Residents are shunning polluting crackers’
KSPCB Chairman Lakshman said the dip in pollution levels from last year signify growing awareness of green Diwali celebrations. "The Supreme Court order has played an important role, but residents too are voluntarily shunning polluting crackers. They have seen what is happening in Delhi, and do not want the same to be repeated in Bengaluru. We are happy about the reduction, and we think the reducing trend will continue next year too," he said.
Much of the data was recorded after 6 p.m., or close to the Supreme Court-mandated time frame for bursting crackers.
On noise levels, he believes that as ambient noise — through vehicular movement or diesel generating sets — is high, the reduced usage of crackers did not make much of a difference.
