Diwali aftermath: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai choked; zero visibility on roads due to smoke

New Delhi:  The pollution level in the national capital has gone way beyond the danger level this Diwali. Delhi roads during early hours of Monday had zero visibility level at several places, and witnessed several accidents. All thanks to the people who carry the mindset that Diwali, which was once known as 'festival of lights' is all about "burning crackers and money". Image: Nikita Kochhar Delhi roads have been unbearable and fatal, in spite of so many warnings and appeals from the experts. People were seen and heard lighting crackers till 5 am in the morning with ‘no rules and one to keep a check’. The level of pollution was no less in the city of Mumbai.  Even Mumbai sky has been equally choked and roads have been equally polluted. According to the reports, the number of cases with breathing issues has doubled this year. Considering the level of pollution, the time is not far when people would soon be exchanging oxygen cylinders on Diwali, instead of sweets. Particulate matters in air quality and noise level in residential and commercial areas were much higher even in Chennai considering the limit prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). A study by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board said particulate matters in air quality in residential areas of Triplicane, Besant Nagar, Nungambakkam and Sowcarpet and commercial places like Thiagaraya Nagar on October 29 ranged from 102 to 178 micrograms, higher than CPCB's prescribed limit of 100 micrograms to measure Ambient Air Quality. However, the presence of gaseous pollutions and nitrogen dioxide in these areas ranged between nine and 19 micrograms, well within the prescribed standard of 80 micrograms, it said. The noise level that day that moved between 72 db (decibels) and 88 db was much higher than the prescribe maximum limit of 55-65 db, it said. The release also clarified that the air quality survey results of 2016 were found to be lesser than 2014. The results for 2015 could not be compared due to heavy rains last year, it said. This is an alarming situation,and it’s time government pulls up its socks and places stringent rules to keep a check on the sale of crackers and on the rules to light them.