Mumbai recorded maximum noise level of 117 decibels, says Awaaz Foundation

Diwali 2023 Noise levels during Diwali celebrations in several parts of Mumbai exceeded readings of last year Awaaz Foundation an NGO specialising in noise pollution awareness said on Monday reported the PTIAccording to the PTI the Awaaz Foundation said that the firecrackers were burst beyond the 10 pm deadline set by the courtsDiwali was celebrated with traditional pomp and fervour marked with lights and firecrackers across the nation on SundayThe maximum noise level recorded in Mumbai during celebrations this year was 117 decibels up from the top reading of 1091 decibels last year Awaaz Foundation said as per the PTIThe decibel levels peaked between 82 and 117 at Marine Drive in south Mumbai at 955 pm with the promenade seeing a huge crowd of revellers bursting serial and aerial bombs the NGOs founder Sumaira Abdulali said in a release according to the news agencyThe police began stopping the bursting of firecrackers only after 1010 pm and also detained some people for not heeding directives in this connection the NGOs release said as per the PTIOn Friday the Bombay High Court directed that firecrackers could be burst only between 8pm and 10pm in the state in the view of the deteriorating air quality in the metropolis and several other major citiesThe bursting of firecrackers increased after 9pm at Marine Drive the Awaaz Foundations release addedAt Shivaji Park firecracker use was observed at about 745 pm Barring a few stray crackers at a distance there were few firecrackers used along the road from Shivaji Park in Dadar to Marine Drive the release said reported the PTIAt Shivaji Park which is a residential zone the noise level was recorded at 99 decibels at 745 pm and 95 decibels at 1145 pm During Diwali in 2021 the highest noise level at 1004 decibels was recorded at Shivaji Park it addedThis year fewer aerial crackers were burst overall when compared to the period since 2020 but the bursting of loud serial crackers increased the decibel levels at several points the NGO saidThough no crackers containing toxic chemicals are permitted as per Supreme Court orders their presence was detected during chemical analysis It included barium a chemical banned by the apex court the release informed according to the PTIIt said the air would contain these harmful chemicals including barium in the period after Diwali and will contribute to poor AQIFor the first time in a decade the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and Awaaz Foundation did not conduct their annual preDiwali joint firecracker testing to determine their noise levels the release informedwith PTI inputs