Ramkrishan Upadhyay
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 18
While it will be interesting to know the level of air and noise pollution this Diwali following the Punjab and Haryana High Court order, the past four years witnessed a continuous increase in their level.
As per the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee, Which recorded the air and noise pollution at Sectors 17, 22 and 29, the noise level was recorded at 76 decibel in 2013, 82. 9 decibel in 2014, 85.8 decibel in 2015 and 86.3 decibel in 2016 in Sector 22.
The noise level soared at Sectors 17 and 29 too. The highest noise level was recorded from 9 pm to 10 pm on every Diwali. The same trend was noticed with regard to the air pollution.
The respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) was recorded at 218 in 2014, which increased to 316 in 2016 in Sector 22. It was recorded at 450 in 2013. An official of the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee said the RSPM, which affected breathing, witnessed an increase at all three locations. The maximum air pollution was recorded in Sector 29.
As per experts, the pollution level goes up by 30 to 40 per cent every Diwali.