The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : A less noisy Deepavali this year

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 18, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

A less noisy Deepavali this year

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, NOV. 17. It was a less noisy Deepavali this year compared to the last one, according to a study conducted by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB).

The average noise level in the city showed a decrease of eight decibels, according to the study. The Board officials attributed this to the campaign for reducing noise pollution during Deepavali and round-the-clock policing. People by and large burst crackers only between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m, as specified by the guidelines.

Quoting the study conducted around the city, the Board said there was also a corresponding decrease in the average level of suspended particulate matter while the oxides of nitrogen and sulphur were within limits.

TNPCB officials said that next year, the campaign to reduce noise would be extended to commercial areas and focus on eliminating imported firecrackers that exceed the specified decibel levels.

On Deepavali eve, the average noise level ranged from 62.3 decibels to 81.9 decibels and on Deepavali, it was between 69.1 and 93.4 decibels. On an average, the noise levels were 67.3 and 74.8 decibels respectively, a statement from the Board said. The decibel levels in Triplicane and Sowcarpet exceeded the decibel levels in other areas though it was less noisy than last year.

The noise level for residential areas is 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night. In commercial areas, the levels are 65 and 55 decibels.

The study was conducted on November 10 and 11 between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. and between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. at Triplicane, Foreshore Estate, Perambur, K.K.Nagar, Anna Nagar, Besant Nagar, Adyar, T.Nagar, Purasawalkam, Sowcarpet, Ayanavaram, Guindy, Kilpauk, Saidapet, Thousand Lights, Nungambakkam and Mylapore.

Permissible limits

In a parallel survey of ambient air quality, the levels of nitrogen and sulphur oxides were found to be within the permissible limits. Although the total suspended particulate matter exceeded the limit, the measured values showed a decrease of 35 per cent on Deepavali eve and 40 per cent on Deepavali compared to last year.

The survey was conducted between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m. and between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. at T. Nagar, Sowcarpet, Triplicane, Kilpauk, Anna Nagar and Saidapet.

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