Jamshedpur: The regional office of the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board ( JSPCB) will monitor noise pollution in several areas, two more than last year’s, before and on the day of Diwali. Regional officer of JSPCB, Suresh Paswan said that apart from decibel check, they would also keep a tab on the ambient air quality on the day of Diwali.
Given the increase in the density of the population in the far-flung areas in the two districts over the years the regional office of the pollution control board has identified 18 points where noise level will be monitored to ascertain the level of damage inflicted on environment due to large-scale fireworks.
�The increase and spread of residential colonies to the far-flung areas has necessitated the increase in the noise level monitoring points,� said regional officer, JPCB.
The senior pollution control board official went on to say that a team from the regional office already took readings of the ambient air quality from the minitoring stations at Bistupur, Golmuri and Adityapur yesterday.
�The readings of noise pollution and ambient air quality will be compiled after the festival. The survey reports would be sent to the Central Pollution Control Board ( CPCB),” he said.
According to CPCB guidelines, in commercial areas, the noise limit cannot exceed 65db between 6am and 9pm, and 55db between 10 pm and 2pm. In silence zones, the specified decibel limit between 6am and 9pm is 50 decibels, and it is 40 decibels from 10pm to 2pm.
Last year during the survey, Sakchi roundabout, Mango and a residential complex in Sonari was found to be the noisiest during Diwali due to largescale bursting of crackers. While monitoring the maximum decible limit at Sakchi roundabout and Mango was found to be between 90db and 120db between 6 pm and 9m on Diwali.
According to information few places in Baridih, Telco, Gamharia, Sonari and Mango have been newly identified for their inclusion in the noise level monitoring list. Though, the traditional strategic points i.e. areas near hospital and nursing homes will continue to be on top of the said list.
The officials at the pollution control office said that Diwali enthusiast�s interest is gradually shifting towards lights decoration and owing to this there is a marginal decrease in the bursting of firecrackers.
�There is no scientific data to substantiate the theory but the current trend suggests that people are gradually shifting towards house decoration and illumination (on Diwali) and are spending less money on purchasing firecrackers,� said an official at the pollution control board, which he described as a good sign.
Measurement of noise and air pollution levels by JSPCB regional offices will be tabled and sent to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The JSPCB will adhere strictly to central norms based on Environment Protection Act (1986), which says anybody found bursting crackers between 10pm and 6am or within a 100m radius from silence zones is liable to prosecution.