- विज्ञापन -
Kolkata: Following the celebration of Kali Puja and Diwali, the city has reported a significant increase in air and noise pollution due to the widespread use of firecrackers, officials stated on Friday.
The festivities prompted residents to set off fireworks starting Thursday night, leading to concerning air quality levels. Monitoring stations across Kolkata recorded the air quality index (AQI) in the range of 151 to 200, categorizing it as “red” or “unhealthy.” This level poses health risks for some individuals in the general population, while those in sensitive groups may face more severe health issues.
Environmental experts warn that this “unhealthy” AQI is particularly dangerous for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma, who are advised to limit outdoor activities.
In addition to Kolkata, the AQI was similarly elevated in the Salt Lake area and Howrah town. Meanwhile, Kolkata Police’s efforts to curb noise pollution from firecrackers fell short, with average sound levels recorded at 22 decibels above the legal limit on Thursday night.
The highest noise levels were noted in the Kasba area of South Kolkata, where the average reached 104.6 decibels, significantly surpassing the permissible limit of 75 decibels. Areas near hospitals also experienced excessive noise, with the acceptable limit set at 50 decibels during the day and 40 at night. At midnight on Thursday, noise levels near S.S.K.M. Medical College and Hospital were recorded at 58.2 decibels, while R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital registered an even higher level of 72.7 decibels.
Despite prior announcements from Kolkata Police about deploying additional personnel in residential and hospital-adjacent areas to enforce the ban on certain firecrackers, the effectiveness of these measures was largely absent in many parts of the city.
