The air quality in Kolkata deteriorated to ‘Poor’ on October 30 following Kali Puja, Diwali & Bhai Phonta festivals. The Air Quality Index (AQI) read 233 in north Kolkata according to West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB). The rise in AQI is attributed to vehicular emissions, burning garbage and unrestricted use of firecrackers during celebrations.
The state PCB said that it received 140 complaints of the bursting of high decibel firecrackers from Kolkata and its neighbouring areas on Sunday night.
Bursting of firecrackers above 90 decibels is banned. A majority of complaints to the state PCB came from the Lake Town-Bangur area in the northern fringes of Kolkata and from Behala-Parnashree and Kasba in south Kolkata. Rampant bursting of firecrackers was also reported from Thakurpukur, Sarsuna, Burrabazar, Posta, Jorasanko, Jorabagan, Shyampukur, Patuli, Parnashree, Tala, Gariahat, New Alipore, Regent Park, Kasba and Shakespeare Sarani areas.
WBPCB had put a ban on 126 varieties of firecrackers.
Ambient noise was in 80-85 dB range which is double the restrictions for residential areas. Nearly 2,000 people were arrested for burning banned firecrackers and disorderly conduct.
