Jamshedpur : The Jharkhand Pollution Control Board, (JPCB) has planned to conduct noise level monitoring at 20 strategic points, double than last year, in the area spreading across Jamshedpur and Adityapur on this 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 20 points where noise level will be monitored to ascertain the level of damage inflicted on environment due to large-scale fireworks.
The increase in the number of monitoring points on this year is double the last year when the pollution control officials selected 10 points to study the noise level.
“The increase and spread of residential colonies to the far-flung areas has necessitated the increase in the noise level monitoring points,” said R N Chaudhary, regional officer, JPCB.
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 will also monitor the air quality atmospheric pollution index (API) of total suspended particles through the expensive RDX machine and the pollution control board has identified Golmuri, Seraikela and Bistupur for its installation. “It is an expensive machine so we have installed them at three different points to cover the two districts,” said an official.
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).
Industrial, commercial, residential & silence, with cut-offs of 75dB, 65dB, 55dB and 50dB, respectively, in the day and 5dB lower across all zones at night, according to central pollution board and Supreme Court norms.
Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide levels in industrial, residential and sensitive zones should be within 120mg, 80mg and 30mg per metre cube, respectively.
The JSPCB will bring out a public notice, requesting citizens to celebrate Diwali with moderation and keep anti-pollution guidelines in mind.
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