NEW DELHI: A Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report attributed the lower noise levels this Diwali to ‘‘bursting of less number of crackers’’. Air pollution levels were also generally lower due to the same reason as also due to ‘‘favourable meteorological conditions’’.
Said Dr S D Makhijani, member secretary, CPCB, ‘‘Last year, Diwali was on November 9 when the temperature was 21.1 degrees Celsius. This year, the temperature on Diwali night was 23.8 degrees Celsius. The slightly warmer conditions allowed pollutants to disperse to a height of 446m as compared with 301m last year. That is also why there was less smog the day after Diwali.’’
Firecrackers were also more difficult to procure this year due to police issuing just 1,000 licences for their sale as compared with the usually 5,000. This created a shortage, which along with the rise in input costs, led to crackers being 40%-50% costlier than before.
‘‘The police this year were extremely strict about enforcement. After 10pm, PCR vans were patrolling the city, asking people to desist from bursting crackers. DPCC had also tied up with 2,000 resident welfare associations and 2,000 eco-clubs and they all cooperated with us in bringing down the number of firecrackers burst,’’ said J K Dadoo, secretary, environment department.
The 10pm deadline for ending firecracker celebrations, however, was observed more in the breach. Even the police accepted that while they tried to enforce the rule, there were several violations.
A senior police official said: ‘‘It was not easy to enforce the rule but it had been made clear to the department that if any specific complaints came, they were to take immediate action.’’ Several people reported that firecrackers were burst till as late as 2am in their areas.
