Diwali 2017 was less polluted and relatively quieter than that of 2016 in Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.
The increase in air pollution levels post Diwali celebrations was much lesser this year as compared to previous years, courtesy Punjab and Haryana High Court order fixing a three-hour slot for bursting firecrackers in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.
The HC had on October 13 fixed three hours - 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm - for bursting firecrackers on Diwali in the city and two neighboring states after noting the high levels of pollution from fireworks.
According to the data released by the Chandigarh Pollution Control Board, there was a dip in noise levels, across areas of the city and the sulphur dioxide levels also remained within permissible limits. The Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) exceeded the permissible limits in all the areas but was much lesser than last year’s Diwali in Chandigarh.
This year, air and noise pollution was observed at three places, Sectors 17, 22 and 29 on the day of Diwali and a week before the festival of Diwali. The maximum air pollution post Diwali was recorded in Sector 29 while minimum air pollution was recorded in City Centre Sector 17 (commercial).
As per the data, the RSPM levels of 169 µg/m3 at Sector 22 (residential), 172 µg/m3 in Sector 29 and 97 µg/m3 in Sector 17 was registered on the night of Diwali on October 19 against the levels of 316 µg/m3 in Sector 22, 330 µg/m3 in Sector 29 and 225 µg/m3 in Sector 17 recorded during Diwali 2016.
On October 12, a week before this year’s Diwali, the RSPM levels were recorded 124 µg/m3 in Sector 22, 127 µg/m3 in Sector 29 and 137 µg/m3 in Sector 17.
The noise level was recorded at 84.8 decibels (dB) in Sector 22 between 9 pm to 10 pm this Diwali, compared to 86.3 dB recorded during last year’s celebrations on October 30. From 80.5 dB recorded in the same time period in Sector 29 last year, the level declined to 72.7 dB this time, while for commercial zones (Sector 17) it dropped from 68.8 dB to 62.3 dB.
An official of the UT Pollution Control Board said the levels of sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen were within the permissible limits, and Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) levels drastically reduced in all the three zones as compared to previous Diwali.
The official said that in comparison to the previous year, the noise level recorded was also less. This year, increase in noise level was recorded only in Sector 29 between 8 pm - 9 pm at 75.3 decibel as compared to last year’s 70.1 decibel.