Ranchi: Noise pollution levels across the state shot up beyond the permissible limits on Diwali night with Dhanbad topping the chart in the city category and a Hazaribag area was placed first in the locality category, the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) said on Sunday. The air quality index (AQI) in Ranchi also deteriorated severely, the JSPCP data said.
The JSPCB had installed 28 devices to record the noise pollution levels between 6 pm and midnight on Saturday in four major cities — Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad and Hazaribag. While Gandhinagar area of Hazaribag recorded the highest noise level, a few locations in Ranchi and Jamshedpur recorded lesser levels, signalling adherence to the guidelines issued by the state government in only a few areas.
The JSPCP data said Gandhinagar recorded up to 122.5 dB between 7 and 8 pm followed by Bank More area at 102.7 dB between 6 pm and midnight. Hirapur area of Dhanbad also recorded 101.8 dB.
In the city category, Dhanbad topped the chart at 101.6 dB followed by Hazaribag at 85.38 dB. Ranchi with 73.17 dB came third and Jamshedpur was placed fourth with 69.20 dB.
All areas in Ranchi, Dhanbad and Hazaribag also reported an increase from the ambient noise levels. In Jamshepur, only the Tata Memorial Hospital reported a lesser level at 57.01 dB. In the state capital, the worst noise levels were reported from Albert Ekka Chowk (79.25 dB), Kutchery Chowk (74.04 dB), Ashok Nagar (71.28 dB) and areas near the high court (67.75 dB).
The board also tracked air pollution levels across Ranchi from its pre-installed devices. The air quality index (AQI) in the city went up to 484 micrograms per cubic metre which was 128 on November 9 and remained below 133 till Diwali day.
Elderly residents said they had faced difficulty and did not expect people to burst so many firecrackers during the Covid times.
Sharda Devi (84), a resident of Morhabadi, said, “Even though I was indoors, the sound of firecrackers could be heard past midnight and it was a for me as I am a heart patient. It increases my anxiety attacks and breathlessness.”
Dr Jitendra Kumar, a doctor who stays in Bariatu, said he was in shock after people continued to burst firecrackers even in enclosed spaces. “People need to exercise restraint as bursting crackers will also harm them. During the pandemic time, we need to ensure that the air around us is without pollutants.”