Cops have cracker of an idea

This Diwali, Mumbai Police have come up with a new plan to rein in the decibel count. They have decided to designate a nodal officer at each police station across the city to attend to complaints related to noise pollution during Diwali. Joint commissioner of police (law and order) KL Prasad said the office would exclusively handle such cases from 6 pm to 12 midnight.

Awaaz Foundation, along with Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Mumbai Police, recently conducted a test on various types of fire crackers to determine their noise levels and air pollution levels at Wadala Truck Terminus. The results of the tests shocked one and all present, with almost all the fire crackers burst at the venue produced decibel levels that made a mockery of permissible noise levels.

“This is a serious matter and city police would extend all possible cooperation to Awaaz in curbing noise pollution in the city. One officer in each police station will be designated to ensure decibel levels are under control,” said

“The boxes containing fire crackers do not mention the decibel levels or their chemical composition. This is a violation of a Supreme Court order,” said Sumaira Abdulali of Awaaz Foundation. She said that fire crackers exceeding 120db shouldn’t be allowed for distribution or sale.