Thane, October 23 (Udaipur Kiran): Citizens across Thane celebrated Diwali with great enthusiasm this year, leading to a noticeable increase in the use of firecrackers. Despite brief rainfall bringing temporary relief from pollution in the evening, data from the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) revealed that air pollution levels rose by 11.1% on the day of Lakshmi Puja. Noise levels also went up by 3.2% during the festival.
Compared to Diwali 2024, the city’s overall air pollution levels increased by 7.2%. A review of the last three years shows that air quality index (AQI) levels surged by 62.6% during Diwali 2023 and by 33.9% in 2024.
TMC’s Chief Environment Officer, Manisha Pradhan, urged citizens to opt for only green firecrackers, stressing that although the rain provided temporary relief, pollution particles spiked sharply once the showers stopped. “This sudden rise in dust particles poses a serious health concern. It’s essential that we focus on using only eco-friendly firecrackers,” she said.
According to the TMC’s Pollution Control Department, a study was conducted during Diwali 2025 under the supervision of Chief Environment Officer Manisha Pradhan, along with Deputy Environment Officer Vidya Sawant and Junior Chemist Om Satyashiv Paralkar.
The findings revealed that on October 11, 2025, particulate matter (PM) concentration stood at 143 µg/m³, NOx at 31 µg/m³, and SO₂ at 13 µg/m³, resulting in an AQI of 141. On October 21, 2025 — the day of Lakshmi Puja — PM levels were 139 µg/m³, NOx 30 µg/m³, and SO₂ 17 µg/m³, pushing the AQI to 157.
Noise pollution also saw a marginal rise, increasing from 86 Lmax last year to 89.2 Lmax this year.
Despite the rainfall keeping AQI at a moderate level, the data indicates a continued rise in pollution trends during festive celebrations — highlighting the urgent need for sustainable practices in future festivals.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
