MUMBAI: Diwali celebrations began with the city enjoying much cleaner air over last year’s but the quality plunged to poor/hazardous at several places amid the firecracker-bursting. In the murk glistened a thin silver lining: firecracker noise levels are down compared to two decades ago, coinciding with increasing use of green crackers and more public awareness.The city’s AQI was 132 on Sunday, almost a 30% improvement from the 188 recorded during the same period last year. But the PM 2.5 level that stood at a 42 in Andheri at 8pm, soared to 597 just 2 hours later; it was 606 at Malad. Chembur had a PM10 level of 480 at 10pm.Environmental activists caution noise pollution too remains well above permissible limits in many residential areas and stricter enforcement is needed. “So far, the overall noise levels are lower than previous years. But one needs to check if firecrackers are burst late Sunday night,” said anti-noise pollution activist Sumaira Abdulali of Awaaz Foundation.A recent study by Awaaz Foundation and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) found peak firecracker noise levels have fallen sharply over the last 20 years (see box). RTI activist Anil Galgali agreed noise levels were lower, crediting awareness campaigns and court orders.
The city’s Air Quality Index registered a 30% enhancement, reaching 132 on Sunday.
‘Awareness drives, court orders pushed noise levels down’Peak readings during a pre-Diwali testing of firecrackers this year touched 93 decibels (dB), substantially lower than the 144.9 dB recorded in 2006, a recent Awaaz Foundation and MPCB study showed.While the Mumbai and Thane District Fireworks Dealers Welfare Association described this year’s cracker sales as “largely normal”, several retailers across the city reported a decline in demand compared to previous years.According to association’s honorary general secretary Minesh N Mehta, firecracker sales had dropped to around 70% by the end of Ganeshotsav, but business picked up through Navratri and Diwali after an initially slow start. “Most crackers available today are green crackers and consumers have accepted them over the last five years. Sales have been broadly normal, though trends vary from area to area,” Mehta said.However, traders on the ground painted a more nuanced picture. A Vile Parle dealer said sales were lower than last year as many customers deliberately reduced purchases owing to environmental concerns. A Malad shop owner noted that children themselves were urging parents to buy fewer crackers and opt for green varieties such as sparklers and ground spinners. Bombay High Court had also recently ruled that celebrities should voluntarily help spread awareness against firecracker pollution without charging any public moneyTOI spoke to residents, activists and political leaders attributing the change to greater environmental awareness and compliance with court directions. RTI activist Anil Galgali said noise levels were lower, crediting awareness drives and court orders, though political events in some areas may have caused localised spikes.Andheri resident Karan Jotwani said both cracker sales and bursting had visibly declined in the Lokhandwala area. “The number of cracker stalls has reduced and even in my 240-flat housing society, noise was nearly half of previous years. I also think people are becoming more conscious. I was especially worried as I have a pet at home now,” he said.Shiv Sena corporator Amey Ghole said greater public awareness had encouraged many people to either avoid crackers or opt for green fireworks. “So, there was more focus on the traditional and environmentally friendly options this Diwali. The celebrations were more cultural and less loud which is a welcome move. We are all for celebrations that are environmentally friendly,” Ghole said. BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha said most citizens followed the HC directive by bursting crackers within housing complexes and grounds rather than on public roads.Former Congress corporator Sheetal Mhatre also observed a decline in cracker noise, adding that rising living costs and higher cracker prices may have prompted many households to cut back on purchases this year.But Abdulali pointed out that even 93 dB exceeds prescribed ambient noise limits for residential, commercial, industrial and silence zones. In a representation to the state govt, she urged authorities to strengthen enforcement of noise regulations, particularly during Diwali. In her letter to CM Devendra Fadnavis, she also highlighted that Mumbai has 110 notified silence zones where bursting firecrackers is prohibited. Firecrackers are banned between 10 pm and 6 am across the city.
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