GURGAON: The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) on Friday installed two temporary monitors to check noise levels in the city. An HSPCB official said these units have been set up at DLF 2 and Sector 48 and will closely monitor noise pollution, if any, during Diwali. In 2022, DLF 2 (residential area) saw a 5% dip in decibel levels, while Sohna Road (commercial area) saw a marginal increase compared to 2022.We have installed monitors to record noise levels before and after Diwali. They are installed at the same spots where we had set them up last year so that the data can be analysed to know the difference, said Kuldeep Singh, regional officer, HSPCB.Noise pollution and its sources are regulated under The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The Act has defined ambient acceptable noise levels, silence zones, restrictions on use of loudspeakers, horns, sound-emitting construction equipment and bursting of crackers.The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines for noise pollution notified in 2000 states that not more than 55dB noise level in residential areas, 65dB in commercial areas and 75dB in industrial areas should be allowed during the day. At night, the corresponding upper limits are 45dB, 55dB and 70dB, respectively.Last Diwali, the average peak noise level was recorded at 60db(A) at DLF 2 station, the lowest in five years. In contrast, the average noise level stood at 71dB(A) on Diwali in 2018, 70dB(A) in 2019 and 68dB(A) in 2020, 65.2db(A) in 2020.According to the CPCB data, the city had recorded the worst air quality index (AQI) in 2020 post Diwali in the past five years. It witnessed an AQI of 460 a day after Diwali.To check pollution levels this time, HSPCB also organised workshops and awareness campaigns in the city, urging residents not to burst crackers as it leads to increase in air and noise pollution in the region. Bursting of crackers, officials said, leads to a rise in the level of gases such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and suspended particulate matter in the air, making it hazardous.We also published the following articles recentlyMarginal dip in air pollution levels in Delhi, AQI in very poor categoryDelhis air quality has slightly improved from severe to very poor after five consecutive days of severe pollution. The Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 395, exceeding the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic meter. The Ministry of Earth Science predicts a return to severe air quality on November 8. In response, the Delhi government has reinstated the odd-even scheme and suspended in-person classes in schools. Breathing the polluted air is equivalent to smoking 10 cigarettes a day. The Graded Response Action Plan has implemented measures to address the crisis.Celebrate Diwali with lights, not polluting crackers: City celebsA recent report by Respirer Living Sciences has revealed that the air quality in Kolkata has worsened compared to last year. Concerns are rising as Diwali approaches, as the smoke from firecrackers is expected to further deteriorate the air quality in November. In order to avoid this, experts and citizens are urging people to celebrate Diwali responsibly by opting for lights and diyas instead of bursting crackers. The pollution caused by fireworks can have severe health effects, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and pets. It is crucial to prioritize a cleaner environment and reduce pollution during the festival.AAP, BJP spar on pollution levels in DelhiThe Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and BJP are blaming each other for the increasing air pollution in Delhi. AAP alleges that pollution levels have risen due to Haryanas failure to control stubble burning, while BJP claims that the Kejriwal government should take responsibility for stopping crop residue burning in Punjab. AAP argues that Punjab has managed to reduce stubble burning pollution by 50-67% in one year, while BJP argues that Punjab reports 10 times more cases of stubble burning compared to Haryana. The parties continue to trade accusations instead of finding a solution to the problem.

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