GURUGRAM: Despite orders from the Supreme Court that only ‘green crackers’ — those that emit less smoke and noise — could be sold for Diwali, the city this year recorded the highest noise pollution level for the festival day since 2014.The peak of 70.3 decibel (db) recorded at MG Road is much higher compared with the national standard of 55db for residential areas, and last year’s peak of 61.4db at the bus stand in Old Gurugram Overall, noise pollution, recorded over a six-hour period, stood between 68db and 70.3db in residential areas (MG Road) and between 65db and 71.5db in commercial areas (IFFCO Chowk) this year. The average of peak levels of noise pollution, recorded on different machines placed across the city, stood at 59.6db in 2016 (recorded at Sector 9) and 63.8db in 2015 (recorded at Bus Stand). The figure for 2014 was 66.2db, recorded at MG Road.The Haryana State Pollution Control Board ( HSPCB ) does not believe the higher decibel level is a comment only on the nature of crackers that were burst. A senior official said the main cause of noise pollution near MG Road is vehicles, so the increase was “negligible”.“First, we need to understand that noise levels recorded are hugely dependent on the number of meters and the location where they were installed each year — and it has varied every year. Second, as MG Road witnesses huge traffic volumes, vehicles are the main source of noise pollution. We have recorded a significant decline in bursting of crackers this year, so those can’t be blamed for the high noise levels,” said Kuldeep Singh, regional officer, HSPCB.This year, HSPCB had installed noise meters at two locations — IFFCO Chowk (commercial area) and MG Road (residential area). In comparison, they had them installed at three locations — Atul Kataria Chowk, IMT Manesar and Bus Stand — last year; while in 2016, four meters were installed at different locations.Experts said representative locations should be chosen for installing metres to get proper comparative data. “Representative locations should be selected for sound meters during Diwali. Second, hourly data should be made available so that the hourly trend on Diwali day and the control day can be studied,” said environmental analyst Chetan Agarwal.Others said residents need to be involved to effect real change. “Simply putting a noise meter won’t serve the purpose. Authorities should get in touch with RWAs across the city, and through these, educate residents about use of no-noise crackers. Other noise sources should also be simultaneously tackled,” said Jaswinder Singh Dhir, a resident, who has been raising concern over noise pollution in the city.The CPCB standard guideline for noise pollution recommends not more than 55db in residential areas, 65db in commercial areas and 75db in industrial areas, during the daytime. At night, the corresponding upper limits are 45db, 55db and 70db.

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