Noise pollution, PM10 levels high in Kaushambi: UPPCB
GHAZIABAD: The UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) conducted a five-day special pollution monitoring drive from September 17 to September 21 at three locations in Kaushambi and found high levels of noise pollution and particulate matter 10 (PM10), which are fine particulate matter with a diameter of 10 10 micrometers that can be inhaled.
The exercise was carried out at Kaushambi police post, near Meenakshi Hospital and Panchmani apartments on the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Members of the Kaushambi Apartments Residents Welfare Association (Karwa) are currently contesting a petition with regard to air and noise pollution in the township.
According to official figures, the five-day average PM10 levels were 119.688 micrograms per cubic metre (mpcm), 145.364mpcm and 80.004mpcm at the three locations respectively. The standard limit of PM10 is 100mpcm.
Data obtained by the pollution board showed that the average daytime noise levels were 71.96 decibels at Kaushambi police post (commercial zone), 70.87 decibels near Meenakshi hospital (silence zone) and 66.73 decibels at Panchmani apartments (residential zone), respectively.
The daytime standard noise levels at commercial, silence and residential zones are 65 decibels, 50 decibels and 55 decibels, respectively.
Night time noise pollution levels were also found to be high with Kaushambi police post recording 68.07 decibels against the average of 55 decibels for a commercial zone, 61.94 decibels near Meenakshi hospital against the standard 40 decibels in silent zones and 56.40 decibels at Panchmani apartments--11 decibels higher than the average 45 decibels for residential areas.
“The PM2.5 levels could not be ascertained due to technical issues. The hospital area also has residential and commercial establishments nearby. So, it can be considered a mixed zone. There was some rainfall on the days we were monitoring the air and noise pollution levels. The higher levels of PM10 could be the result of infrastructure works going on near Kaushambi,” said Utsav Sharma, regional officer of UPPCB.
“For other pollution-related issues, different departments are taking up measures as directed under the environmental management plan for the township. Another round of special monitoring is underway this week. All the results will be compiled and submitted before the tribunal with reasons,” he added.
The Kaushambi township comprises 22 high-rise residential towers and is adjacent to Delhi’s Anand Vihar. It is just opposite to the interstate bus terminus at Kaushambi and Sahibabad Site IV Industrial Area.
“We have been contesting petitions against the Ghaziabad agencies since 2015 and it is only now that they have started implementing the court directions. We will assess their work in the long term and apprise the court. Ghaziabad city already has high pollution levels and our area is also a pollution hot spot,” said VK Mittal, president, Karwa.