Air quality in Ranchi post-Diwali this year remained in the “poor” category, though it improved significantly over the last year, thanks to Supreme Court guidelines on busting crackers. The Particulate Matter (PM)-2.5 on Diwali night has reached to 117 g/m3, while the normal pm 2.5 level which is good air quality is 60 g/m3.
Similarly, on Diwali night there was increase of pm10 level too. Ranchi recorded the pm 10 on Diwali night at 671 g/m3, while the normal pm10 level which is good air quality is 100 g/m3.
Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) Member Secretary RL Bakshi said, “The air quality level in Jharkhand on Diwali night was poor, but the figure is less as compared to previous years mainly due to awareness drive carried out by both the Government as well as non-governmental organisations.”
The JSPCB carried out the test of air quality in three shifts (6 am to 2 pm, 2pm to 10 pm and third at 10 pm to 2 am) at its sub stations. Compared to last year this year there has been improvement in air quality.
Last year the worst air quality was reported from mining town of Jharia where ambient air quality was recorded by sensors installed at Tata stadium. Jorapokhar, Jharia recorded 187 g/m3 (micron per metre cube) of Particulate Matter (PM)-2.5, for which the standard is set at 60 g/m3.
Dhanbad which is a hub for mining activities and home to one biggest subsidiaries of Coal India, BCCL, recorded 172 g/m3. Jamsedhpur stood at 170 and Ranchi recorded 162 g/m3. According to Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB), as there was increase in pm 2.5 and pm10 level noise pollution level too witnessed increase.
The JSPCB carried out noise level analysis at four stations, at Tupudana, High Court, Albert Ekka Chowk and at Ashok Nagar. The noise level at High Court was 59.7Lmin, while at the same location at peak hour it was recorded at 72.1Lmin. At Ashok Nagar, the noise level at normal was 41.7Lmin, while at peak time noise level was 80.1Lmin.
The city residents too welcome that there was drop in air and noise pollution as compared to previous years. Ankit Poddar, a resident of Upper Bazar area said, “There has been drop of air and noise population this year as compared to previous years. Various Government as well non government agencies are creating awareness on air and noise pollution.” Poddar further said that Diwali festival rests on the burning Diyas and pooja, and not busting crackers.