look news india
Kolkata, 2 November (HS). Due to fireworks during Diwali and Kali Puja, the pollution level has reached dangerous levels. Since Friday night, the air quality index (AQI) in many areas of Kolkata has crossed 300, which falls in the “hazardous” category. This level can pose health risks to people of all ages.
Most of the complaints of bursting of banned high-decibel firecrackers have been received from areas like Ballygunge Circular Road, Behala and Tollygunge in the southern parts of the city and Maniktala, Lake Town and Ultadanga in the northern parts. Despite police action, these firecrackers were used indiscriminately and in most areas the noise level was recorded above the estimated limit of 75 decibels.
Similar violations were seen in Salt Lake in the northern part of Kolkata and nearby Howrah. Kolkata Police has arrested a total of 601 people in the last two days, including 265 for bursting banned high-decibel firecrackers.
Environmental activists believe that this problem cannot be controlled by police action alone. Unless people themselves are aware of the dangers of pollution caused by firecrackers.
Generally, pollution levels in Kolkata start increasing during Kali Puja and Diwali and remain high throughout the winter season. Relief from pollution comes only when there is light rain, but the Regional Meteorological Department of Kolkata has ruled out the possibility of rain at present.
According to the Meteorological Department, the weather of South Bengal will remain dry in the coming days and the temperature is likely to drop. However, scattered rain is forecast in some districts of North Bengal in the next few days.
