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Delhi Diwali: Noise levels soar despite court limits
10 Nov
Summary
- Noise levels increased at most Delhi monitoring stations this Diwali.
- Karol Bagh recorded the highest noise level at 89.1 decibels.
- Sonia Vihar saw the sharpest yearly increase in noise levels.
Diwali celebrations in Delhi were marked by widespread violations of noise restrictions, leading to a significant increase in ambient noise levels. According to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), 19 of the 26 monitoring stations recorded higher noise levels compared to the previous year.
Karol Bagh reported the highest noise level at 89.1 decibels, only slightly lower than the previous year. Jahangirpuri, Dwarka, and Patparganj also saw considerable noise levels with notable percentage increases. Sonia Vihar experienced the sharpest surge, with noise levels rising by 16.6% year-on-year.
Conversely, seven locations, including Ashok Vihar and Connaught Place, did register a decline in noise levels. The overall noise readings across Delhi ranged from 57.5 dB(A) to 89.1 dB(A) on Diwali night.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has established noise standards for different zones, including silence, residential, commercial, and industrial areas. A 2022 National Green Tribunal order emphasized treating noise pollution as equivalent to air pollution, mandating integrated mitigation plans.
