Both the noise and air pollution had shot up significantly on Diwali night and there is nothing unofficial about the allegation.
The data, sourced from the West Bengal Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board, clearly vindicates the impact of incessant firework bursting that started around 7pm in pockets within Kolkata, jumped around 10pm to midnight, only to settle to its normal level around 3am.
The findings clearly show that the Supreme Court mandate to keep the bursting within the 8pm-10pm timeline; went up in flames.
AQI deteriorated 5-times close to midnight
While the overall pollution status remained better compared to years when Diwali used to happen later in the year, and greater chill contributed to heightened pollution, the data this year underlines that the air quality during Diwali midnight was about five times poorer compared to the day earlier, vindicating the impact of fireworks.
Here is the West Bengal Pollution Control Board station-to-station comparison:-
Ballygunge
Night before Diwali - Highest AQI - 92 (Good)
Diwali night - Highest AQI - 500 (Severe)
Remark: The AQI touched highest possible data – 500 – mainly due to highly toxic PM 2.5 pollutants close to Diwali midnight
Bidhannagar
Night before Diwali - Highest AQI - 72 (Good)
Diwali night - Highest AQI - 309 (Very poor)
Remark: A four-fold rise due to particulate pollution; a reflection of fireworks bursting in the region
Fort William
Night before Diwali - Highest AQI - 60 (Good)
Diwali night - Highest AQI - 125 (Moderate)
Remark: Comparatively less fireworks bursting in the zone gets reflected in the increase of AQI data on Diwali night compared to the night before
Jadavpur
Night before Diwali - Highest AQI - 61 (Good)
Diwali Night - Highest AQI - 262 (Poor)
Remark: A 4-fold rise around midnight
Rabindra Bharati University
Night before Diwali - Highest AQI - 78 (Good)
Diwali Night - Highest AQI - 238 (Poor)
Remark: A three-fold rise in AQI, indicating slightly less bursting in the zone compared to south Kolkata
Rabindra Sarobar
Night before Diwali - highest AQI - 52 (Good)
Diwali night - Highest AQI - 194 (Moderate)
Remark: Nearly 4-fold rise despite the measuring station being buffered by greenery
Noise level soared late night
This correspondent tracked the average noise levels at various automatic sound measuring points in the Kolkata and also adjoining Howrah by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board, the status of which is indicative of the blasts taking place during a period. Clearly, in most cases, the average noise levels spiked from 10pm to midnight, indicating how the norms of 8 to 10pm bursting timeline was thrown to the winds on Diwali night.
Sound levels recorded at Avidipta Housing Complex and Ballygunge Science College campus on Diwali night
East Calcutta Girls College, Lake Town, and Howrah Municipal Office noise levels on Thursday
Loreto College and Maulana Azad Collage noise levels
Sarojini Naidu College and Urbana Housing Complex noise levels
Noise level recorded at Vivekananda College for Women
