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Report on ambient noise levels & ambient air quality during Deepawali festival – 2020

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is monitoring ambient air quality and noise levels during Deepawali day festival from past many years to assess the status of air & noise pollution levels in environment caused by burning of crackers. The main objective of monitoring ambient air quality and noise levels is to ensure compliance of the Hon’ble Supreme Court directions dated October 5, 1999 & September 27, 2001 and also to examine the status & trend of pollution over the years during Deepawali day festival. This report is a compilation of ambient noise data collected from 251 locations in 93 cities spread over 19 States and 04 UTs in the country. A comparison of noise level data, available for 167 locations of Deepawali 2020 with previous year, it is seen that noise level has decreased at 122 locations, increased at 39 locations and no change is noticed at 6 locations. While such results are encouraging, greater efforts are required for spreading awareness about effects of noise pollution among public in general.