Pollution level went for a toss in the millennium city as the residents burst crackers to celebrate Diwali with festive fervour. The pollution level went up by several notches which was higher than previous year's figures of the festival night. Initial data on suspended particulate matter (SPM) indicated that pollution levels in the city went up by at least five times during the festival.
According to preliminary information, the level of Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 was 5 times above the permissible limit on Thursday Night and Friday morning.
However, Jai Bhagwan Sharma, regional officer of Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), claimed that initial figures currently indicate that the pollution level was down as compared to the last year but final figure will be revealed on Monday once the figure of the five pollution units are compiled. Contrary to Sharma's claims the pollution level has crossed dangerous level in the city on the Diwali night.
HSPCB had installed five temporary units to monitor air and noise levels in the city to check pollution before and after Diwali. Department officials said that they are preparing a report on the increase in pollution on Diwali and it will be ready by Monday.
On Thursday night, the maximum level of particulate matter 2.5, which has a PM of 60 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), increased to 302µg/m³. last year on Diwali, the maximum PM 2.5 level was recorded at 823µg/m³.
Also, the report of the Gurugram's air quality index on Friday was at 397 (very poor level), a day after Diwali festival. However, PM 2.5 level touched 999 g/m3 after Diwali.
last year, in Gurugram the highest average noise pollution level was reported at 59.62 leq db(A), from MG Road. According to HSPCB officials, the noise meters were installed at Bus stand, Atul Kataria Chowk and IMT Manesar.