Air and noise pollution levels touched alarming levels in the national Capital on Diwali despite all the advertisements and pleas by the Government, as well as, civil society organisations requesting people to say no to crackers.
Scientists from System of Air quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) said the Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM), which directly affects breathing, has gone up by five times from the national ambiance air quality standard. Government-run Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) chose not to comment on SAFAR’s findings but only said the pollution level was much less compared to Diwali last year.
Ambient air quality monitoring was done by DPCC at six locations — RK Puram, Mandir Marg, Punjabi Bagh, Civil lines, Anand Vihar and IGI Airport — and in all the areas an upward trend in RSPM was recorded since 10 pm on Thursday, the DPCC said.
The noise pollution levels showed an upward trend in various areas, including Dwarka, Bawana and Dilshad Garden, which recorded higher noise level of up to 66 dB(A). last year, the maximum noise level in these areas were 62 dB(A).