AGARTALA, Oct 17 (TIWN): With the ensuing Durga Puja, the officials of the Tripura State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) has already ensured that the noise pollution level should not exceed the specified levels during the puja days.A team comprising TSPCB officials will patrol the city from afternoon till late night on the puja days to check any breach in sound levels during the Durga Puja pandals here. All Puja pandals on the main roads and prominent localities of the state capital will be under the TSPCB scanner. The pomp and show at every pandal has increased and so has the size of the loudspeakers. The TSPCB also issues advertisements and appeals to the people to check the sound level pollution at pandals. According to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, as amended in 2012, the noise level at market places between 6am to 10pm should be below 65 dB. However, a relaxation of 10 dB is also given under rule 5(4) of the same taking the upper limit to 75 dB for special occasions. Loudspeakers are a strict no after 10pm. However, considering the religious sentiments of the people during the festivities, it becomes difficult to enforce pollution control laws strictly. Unfortunately, every year, the quantum of air and noise pollution caused due to the bursting of firecrackers increases on Diwali. Firecrackers release pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide etc in the air, which causes ailments like asthma and bronchitis. Not only the elderly and patients in hospitals, but animals and birds are also affected due to air and noise pollution. Though various schools and organisations organised demonstrations prior to Diwali to educate the masses on a pollution-free festival, their efforts have been futile. The environment and pollution departments also got notices published in various newspapers about regulations to curb noise and air pollution, but to no avail.

As per directions of the Supreme Court, bursting of sound-emitting firecrackers has been banned between 10pm to 6am.

However, shockingly, the direction was openly flouted as firecrackers were burst throughout the night and this causes excessive noise and air pollution

Post Diwali, the roads are littered with the remnants of fireworks. The deluge of garbage, including empty bottles used to light off rockets, on every nook and corner of the city is a worrying sign.

However, the board has also asked to immerse the idol in the water body other than placing in the road side.