Data collected by the air pollution monitoring show that many posh localities turned out to be the maximum pollution makers leaving aside densely populated localities like Beharipur, Quila and others in the city.

All campaigns taken out in the city by schoolchildren and other social activists against firecrackers and motivating locals to celebrate this Diwali in a eco-friendly manner had no impact on locals, who were seen spending on fire crackers and thereby contributing heavily in air and noise pollution on Diwali night.

According to reports, the maximum noise and air pollution was recorded between 8 pm and 12 pm, showing an upward trend in pollution level in comparison to last year.

Teams of air pollution monitoring cell recorded four times the pollution level as against the past few years. A ban on high noise-producing crackers also had no effect on people who burst ear-shattering crackers.

The highest noise pollution and air pollution was found in Rajendra Nagar locality where monitoring cell found noise pollution around 94-166 decibels on Diwali night, closely followed by Deen Dayal Puram (DD Puram) where team of officials recorded 157 decibels.

DK Saxena, in charge of air pollution monitoring cell, Bareilly College, said "As per norms set by the Central Pollution Control Board, noise level around a firecracker within four meters should not exceed 125 decibels. However the team recorded 166 decibels in Rajendra Nagar locality which last year recorded just 76.23 decibels. ."

The ambient air quality was also monitored by monitoring cell for respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM), nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide (SO2). The permissible level of RSPM is 100 microgram per cubic meter, which shot up to an average of 480 at Rajendar Nagar and 400 at Deen Dayal Puram on Diwali night. The nitrogen oxide levels and the gaseous concentration of SO2 also increased.

Saxena added that compilation of air pollution data was still on and would be available soon.