The recent verdict of Supreme Court (SC) over controlling noise and air pollution by restraining the timing of bursting crackers to merely two hours (8 PM to 10 PM) on Diwali showed encouraging results.
The data released by Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) on Thursday suggested that the noise pollution level was moderately low here on Diwali.
As per the data which examined the noise pollution level at four locations (Tupudana Industrial Area – Industrial Area, High Court – Silence Area, Albert Ekka Chowk – Commercial Area, Ashok Nagar -- Residential Area) for six hours from 6 PM to 12 AM showed that at maximum localities the noise level remained stagnant with merely a difference of one or two points.
“We have some good initial results on air quality and noise on Diwali day in Ranchi.
Apart from effective administrative enforcement of the guidelines, we have found a great degree of self - restraint amongst the citizens of the Capital city.
The rise in noise pollution was witnessed only between 8 PM to 10 PM, which shows that the SC order was followed by the city residents,” said, Member Secretary – JSPCB, Rajiv Lochan Bakshi.
The noise pollution data read, “In Tupudana between 8 PM To 9 PM, Leq db (A) was recorded 66.0 on Diwali while on November 1, it was 61.7. Similarly, at Silence Zone --
High Court, 71.3 Leq db (A) was registered on November 1 while on November 7; Leq db (A) was 70.8, between 8 PM to 9 PM.
A difference of four points was seen at Albert Ekka Chowk, categorised in commercial area category as on November 1, Leq db (A) was 72.6 here whereas on Diwali Leq db (A) was 76.3 between 8 PM to 9 PM. At residential pocket, Ashok Nagar, Leq db (A) was quite high between 8 PM to 9 PM.”
Further, the consolidated data of air pollution collected by the nodal agency at AAQMS, Van Bhawan on Thursday from 1AM to 1PM as well as on Diwali between 5 PM to 12 AM showed the average PM10 177.85, PM2.5 98.60, SO2 76.09, NOx 88.03, CO 1277.38.
“Very satisfying report as compared to other cities,” Bakshi added.However, while describing the current air quality of the city, Ankita Jyoti, Senior Programme Officer, Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED) stated,
“We understand that the air quality of Ranchi is better than Delhi but due to the lack of real time monitoring in the city, it is difficult to say where the city stands in the case of air pollution.
In order to understand the risks and levels of exposure in the city, open access and regular updates of air quality are important.”
“Ranchi should also prepare long term preventive and responsive emergency response measures. Formulation of a clear emergency action plan and its enforcement shall ensure the strict enforcement of pollution control measures during the episode of severe air pollution in the city,” Jyoti further added.
A number of appeals for celebrating the festival of lights upholding its true spirit via promoting numerous sustainable ways reduced the pollution level on Diwali.
From district administration’s guidelines and vigilance to the State Pollution Control Board advisory including the engagement of social organisations in sensitising the masses to go for ‘Green Diwali’ celebration, a series of recommendations had come, this season.
