Una area witnesses biggest noise spike on Diwali night

The noise levels rose by 15-30 decibels points at several places across the state on Diwali night. As per the data shared by the Pollution Control Board’s Member Secretary Pravin Chander Gupta, the highest spike in noise level was recorded in a residential area (Rakkad Colony) in Una. From 43.7 decibels recorded on October 13, the noise levels jumped to 73.9 units on Diwali night, an increase of over 30 decibel points.

Interestingly, the Ridge in Shimla recorded a minor change in the noise level. As against the decibel level of 64.4 on October 13, it registered a noise level of 64.9 decibel on the Diwali night, indicating a restrained cracker bursting in the area.

The pollution control board recorded noise level in four zones – silence zone, residential zone, commercial zones and industrial zones. On Monday, only the noise levels recorded from residential and commercial zones were released. The standard noise level in residential zone is 55 decibel units, and 65 decibel units in commercial zones.

As per the data released by the board, the noise level in the residential areas in Una and Chamba went even beyond the standard limit of the commercial zones. In Chamba, the noise level spiked from 56.8 to 78.1.

Incidentally, the commercial zones in Rampur and Reckong Peo in Kinnaur district also logged a sharp spike in the noise level. In Rampur, the noise level jumped from 55.4 to 77.3, while the normally quiet Reckong Peo witnessed a significant jump from 50.7 to 71.0 decibels. While the spike in noise levels in the state is much lower compared to rest of the country, the significant jump in certain places is a matter of concern.

Himachal Tribune