Nov. 3: The Pollution Control Board of Assam today took the Kamrup (metro) administration to task for allowing noise and air pollution in the city during Diwali to spiral beyond the permissible limit.

PCBA chairperson J.L. Dutta said despite instructions, the administration failed to abide by the Supreme Court directive that bans and orders seizure of all crackers producing noise above 125 decibels.

Dutta, along with a team of senior PCBA officials, supervised the noise level and ambient air quality at different locations in the city on Diwali.

The team revealed in its monitoring report that the ambient air quality level at Bamunimaidam, Fancy Bazar (near Sikh temple) and Dispur (near fire brigade station) had crossed the permissible level.

The respirable particulate matter (RPM) in the air at Bamunimaidam and Dispur was recorded at 120 and 121 respectively against the permissible limit of 100 on Diwali. The suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the air at Fancy Bazar was pegged at 338, as against the permissible limit of 200.

Experts said if the RPM and SPM levels in the air cross the permissible limit, residents are at the risk of respiratory diseases.

The team found that the ambient noise level had also crossed the permissible limit in several areas like Silpukhuri, AT Road (Paltan Bazar), Ganeshguri Chariali, Fancy Bazar and Maligaon Chariali because of bursting of crackers.

Members of the monitoring team also seized crackers that create noise above 125 decibels.

Dutta accused the administration of completely failing to prevent the sale of crackers producing sound more than 125 decibels. “It is a sad state of affairs. No one seemed to be bothered about the adverse effects of noise and air pollution caused by bursting of crackers,” he added.