Kolkata: The West Bengal Pollution Control Board's (WBPCB) awareness measures proved successful in reining in noise pollution across the state during Kali Puja celebrations to some extent, but the
air quality index (AQI), which was found to be on the higher side, proved to be a concern for the state Environment department.
"In comparison to last year, the tendency of people to burst loud crackers across the state presented a satisfactory picture. But from Kolkata we have received over 140 complaints which included bursting of crackers beyond the 90 decibel sound limit, as well as blaring of loud music. We will take action against all such complaints that we have received," said Saumen Mahapatra, state Environment minister.
The complaints were received at the control room and toll-free number of the WBPCB as well as the West Bengal Paribesh app that was launched by the department during Durga Puja.
Eight monitoring teams of PCB that were on vigil during evening and night in the city have lodged 12 FIRs, while the Kolkata Police has also initiated suo moto FIRs in three cases.
Complaints of bursting prohibited fire crackers were received by PCB from seven apartments located in Maheshtala, Uttarpara, Sreerampore, Golabari and three in Belghoria, while Lake Town police station lodged complaints against an apartment at Bangur Avenue for similar violations.
There were complaints of bursting sound crackers from the slum located close to RG Kar Medical College Hospital and blaring music through loudspeaker over the decibel limit near BC Roy Children's Hospital at Phoolbagan.
The AQI index that remained under the permissible limit till 9 pm on Sunday shot up later and both PM 2.5 and PM 10 readings were on the 'very poor' parameter, particularly from the period of 12 to 1 am in the night.
The automatic monitoring station of PCB at Rabindra Bharati University in North Kolkata showed PM 2.5 at 1,019 and PM 10 at 1,057 at around 1 am, while Jadavpur registered 890 (PM 2.5) and 845 (PM 10) at the same time. The one at Ballygunge was 1,038 (PM 2.5) and 781 (PM 10), while AQI at Rabindra Sarovar was also in the 'poor' category.
"In all these cases, the AQI was more than 2.5 times higher than expected," an official in WBPCB said.
Ghusuri in Howrah was a new but significant entrant in the list of 'very poor' AQI. The PM 10 at 1 am in Ghusuri registered 1,473, the highest in the state. Readings at the automatic monitoring stations in Victoria Memorial and Fort Willam, however, were moderate.
"We have found out that the AQI shoots up to its maximum during morning in winter. So, we are introducing some vehicles which will serve as sprinklers and water the roads in order to curb pollution," Mahapatra said.