LUCKNOW: Unlike last year, where level of noise pollution in Lucknow during Diwali had touched almost 100 decibels, this year, the average noise pollution level in the city (during the corresponding period) has come down by almost 21%, and settled at around 79.76 decibels.
Confirming the declining trend, district magistrate of Lucknow Raj Shekhar said that the factual information received from the pollution control office is certainly a good and positive result.
As per the data, the top-5 nosiest locations in the city were - Aliganj, Kaiserbagh, Kapoorthala, Munshipulia and Lalkuan. On the other hand, the area around High Court was least noisy at 51 decibels. This was followed by King George Medical University, Isabella Thoburn College Crossing, Gol Market and Riverbank Colony.
The development comes as a welcome change for Lucknow, as this year, the Lucknow district magistrate had appealed to all school, colleges, industrial associations, pooja committees and citizens at large to refrain from bursting largely pollution causing firecrackers. "This has resulted in significant reduction in noise pollution levels by almost 21%," said Kuldeep Mishra, UPPCB's regional officer posted in Lucknow.
Quoting the Wholesale Firecrackers Association, the DM further stated that there is also an average reduction of 25-28% in the wholesale selling of firecrackers (this year) as compared to last year's sales. Officials said that air pollution levels are likely to be available from the Centre by November 16.
"The district administration thanks all the 'responsible Lucknowites', children, media friends, businessmen, school colleges and officials for the positive and encouraging results in ensuring reduced pollution levels," Raj Shekhar said, and added still a lot has to be done in coming years to ensure better climatic conditions. "However, I'm confident that we as a team will definitely succeed in saving our valuable nature in all possible ways," the DM said.
