Kolkata: The relentless assault of firecrackers on Kolkata continued through Monday night and the early hours of Tuesday but fell significantly in the evening with violations reported from only a few pockets. With police closely monitoring immersion processions along designated routes, bursting of illegal crackers was largely restricted.More than 5,000 police personnel were deployed across immersion zones to maintain law and order. Disaster management teams were also kept on standby.Monday night and the early hours of Tuesday were, however, particularly bad. Jadavpur registered a staggering 81.8 decibels (dB) at 9 pm on Monday while Ballygunge recorded 67.8 dB and Tangra 65 dB. Even at 1 am on Tuesday, Jadavpur recorded 54.9 dB, Ballygunge 54.3 dB and Tangra 53.5 dB, exceeding their respective nighttime limits by 40 dB.“A rise of 10 dB represents a tenfold increase in sound intensity. The elevated readings, therefore, indicate a substantial noise burden,” said a former PCB scientist.Police records showed that 327 people were arrested on Monday for offences connected with the festivities. Of them, 74 were arrested for bursting crackers outside the permitted hours, while 253 were held for unruly behaviour and indecency.Cops also seized over 350 kg of firecrackers and 46 litres of illicit liquor between Monday and Tuesday evening and registered five more FIRs. The numbers are set to rise further by midnight, officers said.Police sources maintained that the quantities of prohibited firecrackers and illicit liquor seized were substantially lower than last year’s recoveries.Traffic enforcement was stepped up, with 890 motorists booked on Monday. These included 379 two-wheeler riders and 156 pillion riders travelling without helmets, 116 motorists booked for dangerous driving and 100 for driving under the influence of alcohol. Another 139 cases involved other traffic violations.
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