Thane: Activists in Thane say the city is more noisy with fireworks exploding until 3am this year than last year’s Diwali. However, the Thane Municipal Corporation says citizens celebrated the festival according to the rules.

DMC Mayor Naresh Muske and Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Sharma said there was no Diwali firecrackers this year and citizens followed the rules to avoid air and noise pollution. Officials say there has been no change in the environment after Deepavali.

On November 6, the FPJ announced a survey by social activist Dr Mahesh Bedekar, where the city was the busiest with 105 dB on the day of Lakshmi Puja. And the firecrackers exploded until 3am.

According to the DMC, the Pollution Control Department conducted the survey before and after Diwali. According to a survey conducted on October 29, 2021, air dust for 22 hours is 228 micrograms per cubic meter. The amount of nitrogen-oxide was 26 micrograms per cubic meter and that of sulfur-dioxide was about 15 micrograms per cubic meter. Also, the noise level on the same day was 68 decibels.

However, on the day of Lakshmi Puja on November 4, 24 hours of air dust was 233 micrograms per cubic meter. Nitrogen dioxide was about 30 micrograms per cubic meter and sulfur dioxide was 20 micrograms or cubic meters. Noise pollution was 72 decibels.

Muske added that municipal corporation officials had issued guidelines regarding the firing of firecrackers before Diwali. Rules and guidelines were followed by citizens to protect the environment. “On the day of Lakshmi Puja, the noise level was 72 decibels from 6 am to 10 pm, which is normal,” Muske added.

Dr Mahesh Bedekar, a social activist who raises issues against noise pollution, said, “The Deepavali celebration lasted for four days. The day of Lakshmi Puja reached 105 decibels.

Published on: Tuesday, November 09, 2021, 09:31 PM IST