Change comes from within and this is something that this cash-rich city needs the most. With nothing changing on the front of making crackers more eco-friendly and less noisy, it would require a little effort on the part of residents to celebrate the Festival of Lights with candles and diyas.

According to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), Ludhiana recorded the highest pollution on Diwali last year. This city probably can take a leaf of advice from Patiala which was the least and the lowest-polluted city post Diwali.

"Being a flamboyant city, people prefer to flaunt money like anything. They buy crackers worth thousands of rupees to make a social statement," says Dr Charanjeet Singh, Senior Scientific Officer, Punjab Pollution Control Board.

Though the data shows a reduction in the noise level over the past couple of years, yet a lot more needs to be done. The PPCB has put hospitals, educational institutes, religious places and residential areas under the silent zone.

The average noise pollution over the last three years especially during the night hours hovers between 80 decibles to 93 decibles with last year recording a slight fall in the noise pollution.

Quite similar is the state of residential areas where the noise level hovers between 80 decibles to 100 decibles. The noise level is much higher in commercial areas where 125 decibles is the permitted level.

Dr Singh adds, "Crackers add to the suspended particulate matter in the air. They emit sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen apart from being a source of both air and noise pollution."

... contd.