Gurgaon: Post Diwali, however, the air quality in the city has hit its worst level in six years this time. noise pollution showed a decrease in Diwali In the residential area whose sample was taken.
As per the data of two monitoring stations set up by Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB, DLF-2 (residential area) saw a decline of 5.5% in decibel levels this Diwali, while Sohna Road (commercial area), the noise level was almost equal to the day of the festival last year.
Both stations measured noise in decibels (A-weighted), the relative loudness of sounds in the air as perceived by the human ear. This Diwali, the maximum noise level at DLF-2 station was 65.3 dB(A). The average was 64.2dB(A), the lowest in four years. The average level on Diwali was 71dB(A) in 2018, 70dB(A) in 2019 and 68dB(A) last year.
At Sohna Road station, this Diwali the maximum was 81dB(A), while the average noise level was 70.1dB(A), slightly higher than last year’s 70dB(A). It was 71dB(A) on Diwali in 2018 and 69dB(A) in 2019. The noise pollution level recorded over a six-hour period this Diwali was between 61dB (A) and 65.3 dB (A) in DLF-2 and between 68dB. A) and 81dB(A) on Sohna Road.
HSPCB scientist Ram Niwas said, “Though Diwali saw an increase in air pollution, the traffic volume was less on Sohna Road and low intensity crackers were burst at DLF-II, resulting in a drop in the noise level.”
Like last year, this year also HSPCB had installed noise meters at two places. In comparison, the Pollution Control Board had installed meters in 2019 and 2018 at four locations – DLF-2, Sohna Road, IMT Manesar and Bus Stand.
The CPCB standard guidelines for noise pollution, which were notified in 2000, recommend no more than 55dB in residential areas, 65dB in commercial areas and 75dB in industrial areas during the day. At night, the corresponding upper limits are 45dB, 55dB and 70dB.
need more noise
monitoring station
According to experts, with only two areas monitored for noise pollution on Diwali, the data is not indicative for the entire city.
He suggested that several locations should be selected for installation of meters. “Ideally, more places should be covered in the city to study noise fluctuations before Diwali and on Diwali,” said Sachin Panwar, an expert in air and noise pollution.
“Just randomly installing noise meters in one area will not serve the purpose. The authorities should approach RWAs across the city and through them educate the residents about the impact of noise pollution. Also, old Gurgaon and The new areas of the city are not being represented in the current figures.The monitoring centers are at only two places, which is not giving accurate information about the situation.
A senior HSPCB official said they plan to install a continuous, real-time noise measurement system with digital display boards and a centralized network at four locations. “We plan to set up permanent noise monitoring stations in Gurgaon soon. They will continuously monitor the noise level round the clock,” the official said, adding that the HSPCB already has a network of air quality monitoring stations and is likely to set up noise monitoring stations at the same location – Vikas Sadan, Teri Gram, Gwalpahari. and Sector 51.
Residents of areas such as Sector 50, 57, 89, 90 and 92, who spoke to TOI said that there was no firecrackers silence in their neighborhood on Diwali evening. “The bursting of crackers started at 7 pm on Diwali and continued till 11 pm. We could not sleep and my husband faced difficulty in breathing due to pollution,” said Rekha Agarwal, a resident of Sector 57. “There are no civic bodies to monitor the newly developed areas. Some residents kept bursting firecrackers all night,” said Puneet Kaushal, a resident of Sector 89.
On the other hand, in areas like DLF-2, MG Road and Sushant Lok, residents said the incidents of bursting of crackers were different. “I could hear the slight sound of firecrackers. Nothing is too noisy,” said Tanvi Nayak, a resident of DLF-2.
As per the data of two monitoring stations set up by Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB, DLF-2 (residential area) saw a decline of 5.5% in decibel levels this Diwali, while Sohna Road (commercial area), the noise level was almost equal to the day of the festival last year.
Both stations measured noise in decibels (A-weighted), the relative loudness of sounds in the air as perceived by the human ear. This Diwali, the maximum noise level at DLF-2 station was 65.3 dB(A). The average was 64.2dB(A), the lowest in four years. The average level on Diwali was 71dB(A) in 2018, 70dB(A) in 2019 and 68dB(A) last year.
At Sohna Road station, this Diwali the maximum was 81dB(A), while the average noise level was 70.1dB(A), slightly higher than last year’s 70dB(A). It was 71dB(A) on Diwali in 2018 and 69dB(A) in 2019. The noise pollution level recorded over a six-hour period this Diwali was between 61dB (A) and 65.3 dB (A) in DLF-2 and between 68dB. A) and 81dB(A) on Sohna Road.
HSPCB scientist Ram Niwas said, “Though Diwali saw an increase in air pollution, the traffic volume was less on Sohna Road and low intensity crackers were burst at DLF-II, resulting in a drop in the noise level.”
Like last year, this year also HSPCB had installed noise meters at two places. In comparison, the Pollution Control Board had installed meters in 2019 and 2018 at four locations – DLF-2, Sohna Road, IMT Manesar and Bus Stand.
The CPCB standard guidelines for noise pollution, which were notified in 2000, recommend no more than 55dB in residential areas, 65dB in commercial areas and 75dB in industrial areas during the day. At night, the corresponding upper limits are 45dB, 55dB and 70dB.
need more noise
monitoring station
According to experts, with only two areas monitored for noise pollution on Diwali, the data is not indicative for the entire city.
He suggested that several locations should be selected for installation of meters. “Ideally, more places should be covered in the city to study noise fluctuations before Diwali and on Diwali,” said Sachin Panwar, an expert in air and noise pollution.
“Just randomly installing noise meters in one area will not serve the purpose. The authorities should approach RWAs across the city and through them educate the residents about the impact of noise pollution. Also, old Gurgaon and The new areas of the city are not being represented in the current figures.The monitoring centers are at only two places, which is not giving accurate information about the situation.
A senior HSPCB official said they plan to install a continuous, real-time noise measurement system with digital display boards and a centralized network at four locations. “We plan to set up permanent noise monitoring stations in Gurgaon soon. They will continuously monitor the noise level round the clock,” the official said, adding that the HSPCB already has a network of air quality monitoring stations and is likely to set up noise monitoring stations at the same location – Vikas Sadan, Teri Gram, Gwalpahari. and Sector 51.
Residents of areas such as Sector 50, 57, 89, 90 and 92, who spoke to TOI said that there was no firecrackers silence in their neighborhood on Diwali evening. “The bursting of crackers started at 7 pm on Diwali and continued till 11 pm. We could not sleep and my husband faced difficulty in breathing due to pollution,” said Rekha Agarwal, a resident of Sector 57. “There are no civic bodies to monitor the newly developed areas. Some residents kept bursting firecrackers all night,” said Puneet Kaushal, a resident of Sector 89.
On the other hand, in areas like DLF-2, MG Road and Sushant Lok, residents said the incidents of bursting of crackers were different. “I could hear the slight sound of firecrackers. Nothing is too noisy,” said Tanvi Nayak, a resident of DLF-2.
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