Pollution levels moderate on Diwali night in Himachal

Imposing blanket ban on sale and use of fireworks state by Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board recorded moderate on AQI(ambiant air quality index) on Diwali night as AQI level of industrial hub Baddi in Solan district measured 157 highest in the state.  Barring Shimla( having good air quality )other 10 major towns were moderate to satisfactory air quality. AQI of Dharmshala was 127, Poantashaib 123 ,Damtal 120,  Nalagarh 111, and Una 95.On the eve of Diiwali HP State Pollution Control Board has conducted the ambient air quality monitoring and noise monitoring on pre Diwali and Diwali day at 11 locations. The concentration of PM 10, PM 2.5 NOx, SO2 in the ambient air observed on Diwali day was comparatively more than the values observed on the normal days which clearly indicates the impact of bursting of fire crackers on the ambient air quality.  It could be concluded from the ambient air quality monitoring carried out by the State Board that Dharamshala and Damtal were highest polluted where in ambient air quality deteriorate from good to moderate and Shimla was cleanest in the State wherein ambient air quality remains good. Noise pollution was highest 69.8 decibal at BCS Shimla, 69.7 dB at Regional Office Dharmshala, 68.8 dB Baddi, 68.4 dB Regional office Chamba and 67 dB at Rampur Bushair. Comparetivily cleaner  as average AQI was 97 and satisfactory .