Noise and air pollution in Chennai during this Deepavali was lower than what had been registered last year.

Not just that, the corporation trucks had lesser cracker-waste to clear from the city roads this time, thanks to the increase in public awareness and cost of fireworks.

TNPCB on Wednesday released data that showed an average drop of over eight per cent in noise level this Deepavali in Chennai compared to the maximum of 77.7 decibel (dB) recorded last year.

Nungambakkam scored the dubious distinction of having been the noisiest area this time at 77.7 dB followed by Triplicane (76.9 dB).

The board also reported encouraging results from studies of the air pollution levels in Chennai this Deepavali.

“Our studies showed that nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide levels were below the targeted 80 microgram”, said a board statement.

a board statement It was a cleaner Deepavali this year. Levels of pollution of air and noise were significantly lower this Deepavali compared to last year, according to the data released by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board on Wednesday.

Sustained campaigning by the board and also the state education department, particularly targeting the student community, seems to have paid off. Besides, the rise in the cost of crackers caused drop in their consumption; consequently, there was less of noise and smoke, and litter on the city roads.

A TNPCB release said the board had conducted an extensive campaign by special vehicles across the state to educate the people about noise-air pollution by the bursting of crackers during the festival.

The board then conducted studies of the air and noise levels in 11 cities and towns in the state, including

Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchy, Coimbatore and Salem, which showed encouraging trends of positive public awareness, officials said.

“Also, the noise levels recorded at 11 pm on the festival night was found to be significantly lower than what was recorded at 7 pm. This showed that the people heeded our request to desist from disturbing neighbours by bursting crackers beyond 10 pm”, the board said. It said testing for RSPM (respirable
suspended particulate matter) levels showed that they were lower by 32-57 per cent compared to those seen last Deepavali.

The RSPM is an air-borne particle larger than four to five microns and affect the health at higher levels, particularly of children and elders.

“The sustained efforts taken by the pollution control board and the education department appear to have had a positive effect, said environment and forests secretary C.V. Shankar. Sanitary workers work overtime This Deepavali in Chennai not only was the air cleaner, but also the roads neater.

Field sources in the solid waste management department maintained that waste from crackers have reduced over the last few years and this year there might be a marginal reduction in the total waste generated in Chennai.

“Post Deepavali celebrations the garbage collection stood around 5,400 tonnes. To clear the 20 per cent extra garbage sanitary workers have extended their working hours from two to three hours for the past few days“, corporation commissioner D. Karthikeyan said.