Recently as the city celebrated Diwali, pollution levels did increase compared to normal days, but the spike was less compare to last year’s festive season, indicating a gradual shift towards a cleaner celebration. The Telangana Pollution Control Board (PCB), which has been monitoring air and noise pollution throughout Diwali from October 24 to November 7, released data showing promising signs of improvement across various environmental parameters.
According to PCB’s special monitoring data for Diwali, the concentrations of particulate matter—both PM2.5 and PM10—saw a notable drop compared to the previous year. PM2.5 levels, for instance, rose from an average of 44 micrograms per cubic meter on a regular day to 84 micrograms on Diwali, but this was still significantly lower than last year’s 119 micrograms. Similarly, a slight decrease of 4 micrograms per cubic meter was recorded in PM10 levels compared to the previous year, pointing to a reduction in the intensity of pollution.
When it comes to gas emissions, the levels of Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) did increase slightly from their usual levels, yet remained comfortably within the safe limits. SO2 levels went up from 12 to 14 micrograms per cubic meter, still well below the 80 microgram per cubic meter standard. Meanwhile, NOx levels stood at a moderate 40 micrograms, also within the acceptable range.
Noise levels, another crucial factor, showed mixed trends across different areas of the city. In industrial zones, night-time noise saw a minor increase of 2.3 decibels, though day-time levels remained the same. Interestingly, commercial areas experienced a drop in noise levels during both day and night on Diwali. Residential zones, however, saw an uptick in noise levels on Diwali compared to regular days, likely due to celebrations. Yet in sensitive zones, the opposite was observed, as noise levels actually dropped on Diwali, marking a surprising but welcome shift.
This year’s data presents a hopeful outlook, with clear indications that public awareness and mindful celebrations are paying off. While there’s still room for improvement, these findings suggest that the city is moving towards a more eco-friendly Diwali, with reduced pollution levels compared to previous years.
