During Deepavali, Yelahanka New Town made loudest noise

Despite a campaign by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) for a safe and soundless Deepavali, the noise and air pollution levels shot up during the three-day festival in most areas of the City, including silent zones.

 The highest noise level was recorded in Yelahanka New Town, categorised as an industrial zone. On November 13, it recorded 84 dB (decibel), an increase of 14 per cent compared to the recording on a normal day. City Railway Station recorded the highest air pollution with an increase in Sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide and Carbon monoxide levels, registering an average of 72 per cent increase in air pollutants on all the three days.

Addressing reporters here on Thursday, Vaman Acharya, chairman, KSPCB, admitted that the campaign has not yielded good results in terms of reducing the pollution levels in the City.  “Air pollution has increased in the City. But, noise levels in certain areas have come down compared to the previous year’s recording. We are contemplating writing a letter to the State government to ban loud crackers in the State,” he added.

Air pollution levels had increased on all the three days of the festival. At the City Railway station, there was a 95 per cent increase in Sulphur dioxide, 67 per cent increase in Nitrogen dioxide and 56 per cent increase in Carbon monoxide levels.  At the KSPCB office in S G Halli, air pollution shot up by 48 per cent and, at Peenya (Rajgopalnagar) there was 30.01 per cent increase in ambient air quality.

Highest noise level was recorded in Yelahanka New Town with 84 dB followed by 80 dB at Parisara Bhavan on Church Street on November 13. 

These two places recorded high ambient noise level on November 14 too.  Indiranagar ESI Hospital, which is considered to be a silent zone, registered 70.3 dB on November 13.  Nisarga Bhavan in Basaveshwarnagar and BTM Layout  also recorded high levels of noise pollution.