CITY LESS NOISY THIS DIWALI
PCB REPORT Noise pollution dips by 21% in state capital as compared to last yr
At a time when other cities, including Delhi, hit the ‘hazardous level’ in air and noise pollution this Diwali, the state capital breathed a little easy when it came to battling urban sounds. The state pollution control board’s (PCB) figures suggested a sharp dip of 21% in noise pollution level as compared to last year. PCB officials called it a welcome sign.
At a time when other cities, including Delhi, hit the ‘hazardous level’ in air and noise pollution this Diwali, the state capital breathed a little easy when it came to battling urban sounds. The state pollution control board’s (PCB) figures suggested a sharp dip of 21% in noise pollution level as compared to last year.
PCB officials called it a welcome sign. ‘’The pre-Diwali drives emphasising on observing a cleaner Diwali seemed to have left a mark on the people. Indeed it is a welcome sign. Delhi has witnessed a formidable increase in pollution level and a fall of 21% here is remarkable, we expect it to be a continuing trend,” said Kuldeep Mishra, pollution control officer, PCB Lucknow, as he released the figures.
In 2014, the noise pollution level on Diwali night had touched the mark of 100 decibels.
PCB records further revealed that congested Aliganj locality remained the most polluted local- ity on the day with 98.4 decibels of noise pollution. “It was highest among the levels recorded this year,” said Mishra.
Qaiserbagh stood out to be the second most polluted locality with 90.8% noise pollution. Similarly, Kapoorthala, Munshi Pulia, Lal Kuan, Chowk and Nishatganj were other polluted localities that recorded 88.6, 84.5, 84, 82.4 and 82.1 decibels of noise respectively.
In stark contrast to the highly polluted localities, the area near the high court registered 51 decibels of noise pollution, that was the lowest of all.
On an average, the pollution control officer said the city this year recorded 79.76% noise pollution that was 21% less than last year. Officer also gave credit to the district administration and said the fall in the pollution level was an outcome of the series of anti-crackers drives which the administration launched preDiwali.
As a part of the drive which the DM launched a few days ahead of Diwali, an oath was administered to schoolchildren urging them to observe a green and pollution-free Diwali. “It is good news that the noise pollution in the city has decreased. I think school-goers played a crucial role in executing the actual motto of the drive and made this day possible,” said Raj Shekhar, district magistrate.
Shekhar said the city also witnessed the reduction of 28% in total sale of crackers this year. “This further endorsed the effectiveness of the drive,” Shekhar said.