GHAZIABAD: The bursting of firecrackers increased noise pollution in the district this Diwali, which happens every year, but the levels saw a dip this year compared to last year. The UP Pollution Control Board records noise levels at the Model Town and Vasundhara stations. While the former recorded an LEQ (equivalent continuous sound level) of 75.9 Decibels this Diwali against 77.4 Decibels last year, the LEQ was 72.6 Decibels in Vasundhara against 83.7 Decibels in 2021. Model Town had recorded an LEQ of 78.1 Decibels in 2020, 76 Decibels in 2019 and 72.2 Decibels in 2018. Meanwhile, Vasundhara had recorded an LEQ of 76.6 Decibels in 2020, 72.3 Decibels in 2019 and 76.3 Decibels in 2018. Track the pollution level in your cityThis Diwali, Model Town recorded noise levels ranging from 49.7-101.8 Decibels. On the other hand, noise levels in Vasundhara had a smaller range, from 57.9-85.3 Decibels. In residential areas, the permissible noise level is 55 Decibels and 45 Decibels during the day and the night, respectively, while in commercial areas, it is 65 Decibels and 55 Decibels during the day and the night, respectively. In silent zones, the limit is 50 Decibels and 40 Decibels in the day and the night, respectively. In industrial zones, it is 75 decibels and 70 decibels during the day and the night, respectively. Utsav Sharma, UPPCB Ghaziabad officer, said, “The noise levels show that people used fewer fire crackers this Diwali in Ghaziabad.” According to the Noida pollution department officials, they are yet to compile the noise pollution data. The air quality improved on Wednesday as Noida recorded an AQI of 262 and Greater Noida 215, both in the ‘poor’ category. Noida and Greater Noida had recorded AQIs of 305 (‘very poor’) and 274 (‘poor’) on Diwali. Ghaziabad recorded a 246 AQI (‘poor’) against Diwali’s AQI of 300. On similar lines, Delhi’s AQI improved from ‘very poor’ to ‘poor’ on Wednesday even as forecasting agencies expect a slight deterioration over the next two days. The air quality index was 271 compared with 302 a day earlier. Experts attributed the improvement in air quality post Diwali to multiple factors. SAFAR director Gufran Beig said it is the cleanest Diwali week in the last five years. “There are some specific reasons for improvement in air quality in Delhi-NCR. The direction of stubble fire normally remains north-west during this time, but it turned south-west, so the effect in Delhi-NCR was minimal during and post Diwali. The second reason is that the environment is warmer, and the wind speed is high, so the accumulation did not reach the saturation level. “We noticed the worst air quality was around 2 am on Tuesday. However, in the morning, the air quality improved. The fireworks were also relatively less this year compared to the previous years. Other control measures also worked well, which kept the air quality in check,” he said. On October 19, the CAQM issued directions for GRAP stage 2 implementation as the AQI moved into the ‘very poor’ category in Delhi-NCR. The measures include mechanical sweeping and sprinklig of water on roads, inspection and enforcement of dust control measures; C&D waste management; ban on use of coal/firewood. UPPCB officials said they’re conducting inspections to ensure compliance.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ghaziabad/less-noise-pollution-in-ghaziabad-this-diwali-than-2021/articleshow/95108884.cms
