...As City Folk Burn 35Cr On Diwali This Year

Lucknow: As Lucknowites lighted up fire crackers of nearly Rs 35 crores this year, it resulted in an increase of air pollution by over 100% and noise pollution upto 37.35% in several areas of the city.

SAFAR advises people with respiratory problems to stay indoors

The Millennium City had a quieter Diwali this year though the levels of air pollutants like sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM

The air pollution on Diwali night registered a marginal fall as compared to last year in Panchkula, but the level of sulphur dioxide recorded a considerable increase, indicating more use of crackers having a high content of the harmful gas.

Data collected by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) showed that the air pollution -- suspended particulate matter (SPM) -- recorded this year was 514.67 micrograms per cubic metre (mpcm), while last year it was 600 mpcm, but the peak value of the harmful sulphur dioxide in the air increased from 66 mpcm to 99.69 mpcm on Diwali night.

While Lakshmipujan was the day of Diwali when maximum air pollution was recorded in the city, the air over Hadapsar area was the most polluted due to bursting of firecrackers.

The project aims at monitoring 10 types of pollutants that affect people's health; it will also work towards reducing concerns.

Experts Blame It On Type Of Crackers, Say Situation Critical

New Delhi: Many Delhiites felt that decibels levels on Diwali night were a shade lower than previous years, but the dense haze of near-choking pollution told a different story. Now the verdict is out. The PM 10 (coarse particles) levels this year were found to be higher compared to last year at all monitoring locations in the city, the Central Pollution Control Board said.

Noise pollution in Delhi witnessed an upward trend this Diwali compared with other metros like Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Kolkata.

However, air pollution was found to be on the lower side this year vis-à-vis previous year’s Diwali, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) noise and air pollution data released on Monday.