NEW DELHI: Trashing the 'No Cracker Campaign' Delhiites celebrated Diwali with even more aplomb than last year. Though noise levels have increased marginally since last year, air pollution has gone up substantially, according to a study conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
However a Diwali survey carried out by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) contradicts this, saying that both air and noise pollution have declined. According to the study conducted by CPCB, levels of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide have reduced but levels of both suspended particulate matter (SPM) and respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) have increased. That is, Delhiites this year have caused more air pollution than last year.
"SPM levels have shown a substantial increase at all locations as compared to 2003. The increase may be attributed to bursting of more crackers and also unfavourable meteorological conditions like low temperatures, calm conditions and low wind speed," a CPCB official said. SPM values recorded this year were between 1107 to 2247 ug/m3 as compared to 676 to 1516 ug/m3 during Diwali 2003. The noise levels too have increased, according to CPCB. Residents of Mayur Vihar phase II spent the noisiest Diwali followed by areas like east Arjun Nagar, Patel Nagar and Kamla Nagar.
The Board carried out ambient air and noise monitoring at 10 locations including CP, Model Town and Lajpat Nagar. DPCC data concludes that levels of sulphur dioxide decreased at 13 locations and in 23 locations it remained within National Ambient Air Quality (NAAQ) limits.
