Vidarbha’s Festival Pollution Surge: Peak Air, Water, Noise Contamination Uncovered

Vidarbha’s Festival Pollution Surge: Peak Air, Water, Noise Contamination Uncovered

The streets of Vidarbha transform dramatically during celebratory periods, but the changes extend far beyond decorations and processions.

Municipal trucks collect waste at unprecedented volumes, monitoring stations record pollutant spikes that breach safety standards multiple times over, and water bodies show measurable degradation within hours. The environmental cost of these celebrations has been documented through years of scientific monitoring across the region, revealing patterns that persist despite awareness campaigns and regulatory interventions.

Vidarbha encompasses eleven districts where traditional celebrations remain deeply embedded in cultural practice. The region includes major urban centres such as Nagpur, Chandrapur, Amravati, Akola, and several smaller towns where monitoring data has been systematically collected by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and independent research institutions.

The environmental impact manifests across multiple dimensions, from atmospheric contamination to aquatic ecosystem disruption, creating a complex web of consequences that extends well beyond the celebration period itself.

The data collected over the past decade presents a consistent picture. Each year, as celebrations commence, pollution parameters escalate across monitoring stations.

The pattern repeats with predictable regularity, offering a window into how human activity during concentrated periods affects the natural environment. Understanding these impacts requires examining the specific mechanisms through which celebrations translate into environmental degradation.

Atmospheric Deterioration and Particulate Matter Accumulation

Research conducted at the NEERI residential site in Nagpur during the October 2014 celebration period documented peak concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 reaching 900 and 950 micrograms per cubic metre, respectively.

These values approximated eight to nine times the Central Pollution Control Board standards, a threshold maintained in the atmosphere for approximately two days following the celebration peak.

The study monitored atmospheric quality for seven consecutive days, revealing that during pre-celebration days, PM10 concentration ranged between 57.78 and 222.47 micrograms per cubic metre. On the celebration day itself, the range escalated to 63.66 to 900 micrograms per cubic metre.

PM2.5 concentration during the pre-celebration period measured 17.91 to 121.76 micrograms per cubic metre, rising dramatically to 40.53 to 950 micrograms per cubic metre on celebration day.

The elevation in particulate concentration proved most severe during specific time windows. Between 10 pm and 6 am, when most residents were sleeping, measurements showed the highest pollutant accumulation. These late-night and early-morning hours experienced particulate matter levels that persisted at dangerous thresholds.

The following year, in 2015, similar monitoring at the same location showed PM10 reaching 1000 micrograms per cubic metre and PM2.5 reaching 975 micrograms per cubic metre, demonstrating consistent year-on-year patterns.

Monitoring by Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology during the November 2020 celebration period measured atmospheric quality at four locations across Nagpur.

At Civil Lines monitoring station, PM10 concentration reached 140 micrograms per cubic metre on the celebration day, up from less than 100 micrograms per cubic metre before the celebrations.

North Ambazari Road recorded 135 micrograms per cubic metre, Hingna Road showed 136 micrograms per cubic metre, and Sadar registered 103 micrograms per cubic metre. The corresponding shifts escalated from baseline readings where sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and PM10 measured approximately 11, 30 and less than 100 micrograms per cubic metre, respectively, at all four stations before celebration activities.

Multiple monitoring locations across Vidarbha displayed similar patterns during the October 2017 celebration period. Nagpur recorded an Air Quality Index of 192 on the celebration day, one of the worst atmospheric conditions the city had experienced during festivities in several years.

By October 2022, the situation had deteriorated further. Post-celebration atmospheric quality reached an Air Quality Index of 201, marking the poorest levels in seven years. The prominent pollutant remained PM2.5, which varied between 302 and 391 throughout the day following peak celebration activities.

Chandrapur district exhibited particularly severe atmospheric degradation. Two days following peak celebration activity in 2018, the district recorded the worst atmospheric quality in Maharashtra state.

The monitoring station registered an Air Quality Index of 214, placing it in the poor category, where prolonged exposure causes breathing discomfort. By 2024, Chandrapur maintained an Air Quality Index of 182 during celebration periods, while Akola recorded 202 and Amravati reached 204, all falling into the poor category.

Recent analysis of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board data from 2022 to 2024 revealed that Nagpur experiences consistent post-celebration atmospheric deterioration.

The average Air Quality Index increases by over 50 per cent within one week following peak celebration days. In 2024, the index rose from 128 one day before celebrations to 234 by the eighth day, representing a 58 per cent escalation. The 2023 pattern showed the index climbing from 216 to 227 within five days, remaining above 200 for over a week. In 2019, the post-celebration atmospheric quality index measured 103, while 2018 recorded 170 and 2016 showed 151.

Meteorological conditions during late October and early November compound the problem. Temperature inversion, a phenomenon where cooler atmospheric layers trap warmer layers below, prevents pollutant dispersal. This natural atmospheric lid keeps contaminated surroundings close to ground level where human populations breathe.

As temperatures drop at night, the inversion strengthens, pushing Air Quality Index levels higher.

The combination of celebration-generated emissions and unfavourable meteorological conditions creates a sustained period of degraded atmospheric quality that persists well beyond the actual celebration days.

Acoustic Disruption Exceeding Regulatory Thresholds

Sound level monitoring conducted at five locations across Nagpur during the September 2024 celebration period demonstrated consistent breaches of permissible limits.

Maharashtra Pollution Control Board stations at Cotton Market, Ramdaspeth, Reshimbagh, Gandhi Putla, and Golibar Chowk recorded noise levels between 64.7 and 82.9 decibels throughout the ten-day monitoring period.

The lowest reading of 64.7 decibels occurred at Ramdaspeth on September 8, while Gandhi Putla in the Mahal area registered the highest level at 82.9 decibels on the first day of celebration.

The data reveal spatial variation in acoustic impact across Vidarbha. The Cotton Market witnessed noise levels ranging from 71.8 to 81.3 decibels throughout the celebration period. Ramdaspeth recorded levels between 64.7 and 77.2 decibels, while Reshimbagh experienced readings from 69.0 to over 80 decibels.

The World Health Organisation identifies noise levels above 65 decibels as potentially harmful to human health, with prolonged exposure to levels exceeding 85 decibels posing significant risks of hearing damage.

Monitoring conducted during the October 2017 celebration period at multiple Nagpur locations revealed widespread noise standard violations. At Civil Lines, sound levels ranged from 52.0 to 67.8 decibels during daytime hours on October 19, with levels rising to 71.9 decibels during night hours. Shankar Nagar recorded the highest night-time reading at 83.1 decibels.

Civil Hospital at Government Medical College measured between 65.4 and 80.5 decibels during day hours, reaching 79.8 decibels at night. Deshpande Layout showed consistent elevation with readings between 66.4 and 76.2 decibels during the day, escalating to 79.7 decibels at night.

Historical data from 2019 to 2024 demonstrates that acoustic pollution during celebration periods consistently exceeds permissible limits. The pattern remains uniform across years, indicating that regulatory interventions have not substantially altered behaviour.

In 2024, all five monitoring stations reported acoustic levels above the permissible limit throughout the entire celebration period, suggesting widespread non-compliance with noise regulations.

Washim town, located in Vidarbha, presents a particularly concerning acoustic environment. Measurements at the Government Polytechnic recorded 87.02 decibels, while the commercial zone at Patani Chowk reached 93.42 decibels.

Even the District Hospital, designated as a silent zone where lower thresholds apply, registered 83.07 decibels. Residential areas recorded 78.35 decibels, substantially exceeding the 55-decibel daytime limit prescribed for such zones.

The acoustic climate parameter, calculated as the difference between L10 and L90 values, ranged from 19 to 25 decibels across different zones, indicating high variability and peak noise events.

Testing conducted by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board in collaboration with the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation revealed compliance failures in commercially available pyrotechnic products.

Of 13 brands tested in Nagpur, Amravati, and Chandrapur, 23 violations of noise level standards prescribed under the Environment Protection Act were detected. The testing occurred at multiple locations across Vidarbha, indicating that the problem extends beyond individual manufacturers or distribution channels.

Water Body Degradation Through Chemical Loading

Futala Lake in Nagpur, which bore concentrated immersion activity in 2019 when other water bodies were restricted, exhibited measurable degradation in water quality parameters.

Pre-immersion monitoring conducted by Green Vigil Foundation recorded dissolved oxygen levels between 4.0 and 4.5 milligrams per litre. Post-immersion analysis revealed a decline to between 3.0 and 3.5 milligrams per litre. Turbidity, measuring suspended solids, increased to 70 Jackson Turbidity Units, while pH reached 8.

The decomposition of organic offerings created anaerobic conditions, progressively reducing the oxygen available to aquatic organisms.

Studies conducted during October 2013 revealed consistent patterns of dissolved oxygen depletion across multiple water bodies. Both Gandhisagar and Futala Lakes exhibited average dissolved oxygen levels of 2.5 milligrams per litre following celebrations, with certain points recording 2 milligrams per litre. Pre-celebration measurements taken 15 days before activities showed levels around 4.5 to 5 milligrams per litre.

At certain sampling points in Gandhisagar Lake, dissolved oxygen fell to 2 milligrams per litre, approaching the threshold below which aquatic ecosystem viability is threatened. Dead fish were observed floating near the lake banks, a direct indicator of oxygen depletion beyond the tolerance range of aquatic species.

Research published in 2015 monitoring Futala, Gandhisagar and Sonegaon Lakes showed differential impacts based on immersion intensity. Gandhisagar Lake, experiencing high immersion activity, recorded dissolved oxygen dropping from approximately 4.5 milligrams per litre pre-immersion to 2.5 milligrams per litre post-immersion.

Turbidity rose to 80 Jackson Turbidity Units. Sonegaon Lake, which experienced limited immersion activity due to rainfall-induced water level increases, maintained relatively stable dissolved oxygen levels at 4.0 to 4.5 milligrams per litre before and after celebrations. However, this level remains below the 6 milligrams per litre considered satisfactory for healthy aquatic ecosystems.

Heavy metal contamination in Vidarbha's water bodies presents long-term ecological threats. Analysis of water and fish samples from Futala, Gandhisagar, and Ambazari Lakes using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry revealed elevated concentrations of lead, cadmium, copper, iron, and manganese.

Gandhisagar Lake emerged as the most contaminated following immersion activities. Concentrations of lead and cadmium in tilapia fish from this lake reached 0.83 and 0.47 micrograms per gram, respectively, exceeding Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Health Organisation standards for safe consumption.

The extent of heavy metal contamination extends beyond immediate immersion sites. Monitoring data from April 2025 documented concerning levels across multiple water bodies in Vidarbha. Khindsi Lake near Ramtek recorded nickel levels at approximately 0.4 milligrams per litre, substantially exceeding the Bureau of Indian Standards safe limit of 0.02 milligrams per litre. Rishi Lake within Nagpur city limits displayed nickel concentrations around 0.2 milligrams per litre and manganese levels nearing 0.7 milligrams per litre, more than double the Bureau of Indian Standards permissible limit of 0.3 milligrams per litre for manganese in drinking water.

Kharpudi Lake showed cadmium levels of 0.3 milligrams per litre, thirty times the Indian drinking water standard of 0.01 milligrams per litre.

Scientific investigations have shown post-celebration spikes in zinc, iron, and lead concentrations in water columns, indicating clear seasonal patterns linked to celebration activities. These metals originate from synthetic paints and plaster materials used in idol construction. Paints contain cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury, which dissolve when submerged in water, creating toxic compounds. Plaster of Paris, composed of heated gypsum, does not fully dissolve but remains suspended, gradually releasing associated contaminants.

The impact on aquatic organisms manifests through multiple pathways. Heavy metals damage fish gills, interfering with oxygen uptake even when dissolved oxygen levels might otherwise support life.

Paint components form thin layers on water surfaces, restricting oxygen diffusion from the atmosphere to the water. Organic offerings, including flowers, coconuts, and sweets, undergo bacterial decomposition that consumes dissolved oxygen. The combined effect creates hypoxic conditions where fish suffocate despite swimming in water.

Solid Waste Volume Escalation

Nagpur Municipal Corporation's solid waste management data reveals substantial increases in collected waste volumes during celebration periods. Normal daily collection averages between 1,150 and 1,260 metric tonnes. During celebration preparation phases in October 2024, collection reached 1,540 metric tonnes on October 14, representing a 270 metric tonne increase, approximately 21 per cent above typical levels.

The escalation stems from pre-celebration cleaning activities as households remove accumulated items, repaint walls, renovate spaces, and discard packaging from newly purchased goods.

Zone-wise analysis demonstrates concentrated waste generation in specific areas. Mangalwari, the highest waste-generating zone, collected 189.24 metric tonnes on October 14, up from 165.66 metric tonnes in August. Nehru Nagar showed one of the sharpest increases, producing 188.14 metric tonnes compared to just 101.53 metric tonnes in August.

Lakadganj rose from 123.71 to 164.96 metric tonnes, while Ashi Nagar increased from 121.5 to 164.05 metric tonnes. These figures highlight concentrated waste buildup in commercial and mixed-use zones during the pre-celebration period.

Following actual celebration days, waste volumes surge further. In 2021, the city generated 1,350 metric tonnes of waste on November 5, up from the normal 1,150 metric tonnes, representing a 200 metric tonne daily increase.

The 2024 post-celebration period saw similar patterns, with collection averaging approximately 1,400 metric tonnes daily, again representing a 200 metric tonne increase over normal levels. The two days immediately following peak celebrations generated over 200 tonnes of waste requiring removal.

Commercial zones exhibit particularly pronounced increases. Satranjipura zone, encompassing commercial areas like Itwari and Dahi Bazaar, experienced increases of 18 to 20 metric tonnes per day during celebration periods.

Lakadganj zone, housing numerous commercial establishments and small-scale factories, contributed an additional 16 metric tonnes per day. Traders in these areas conduct extensive pre-celebration cleaning and generate substantial packaging waste from increased merchandise handling.

The waste composition during celebration periods differs from normal patterns. Increased proportions consist of remnants from pyrotechnic materials, packaging materials, decorative items, and food waste from celebration-related consumption. Debris contains chemical residues including sulphur compounds, metallic salts, and paper components treated with various chemicals for colour effects. These materials present handling challenges distinct from typical municipal solid waste.

Other districts in Vidarbha demonstrate similar patterns. Buldhana district generates 150.19 metric tonnes of solid waste daily under normal conditions, comprising 67.85 metric tonnes of dry waste and 82.06 metric tonnes of wet waste. Chandrapur generates approximately 140 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, of which only 20 metric tonnes undergo treatment through composting, refuse-derived fuel production, or bio-methanation. The remaining 120 metric tonnes is disposed of without treatment.

Collection system efficiency becomes strained during celebration periods. Nagpur Municipal Corporation deployed 90 night-shift workers focused on market areas, with over 5,500 workers covering the rest of the city during day hours.

Despite this mobilisation, narrow lanes in high-density areas such as Itwari, Mahal, and Dhantoli experienced accumulation of paper boxes, plastic bags, and pyrotechnic fragments. The chief sanitation officer noted that the typical daily collection of 77 tonnes from markets and 64 tonnes through street cleaning proved inadequate for post-celebration volumes.

Respiratory Health Burden Documentation

Respiratory Health Burden Documentation

Hospital admission data reveal measurable increases in respiratory cases following celebration periods. Medical facilities documented approximately 50 per cent elevation in respiratory-related visits after celebrations.

The increase encompasses a range of conditions, including asthma exacerbation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease deterioration, allergic bronchitis, and acute respiratory infections.

Comparative analysis of pre-celebration and post-celebration hospitalisation patterns shows significant differences in clinical outcomes. Mean duration of hospital stays increased from 7.59 days before celebrations to 9.46 days following celebrations. The requirement for ventilator support escalated dramatically, affecting 13.33 per cent of respiratory patients before celebrations but rising to 55.88 per cent afterwards. These figures indicate not just increased case numbers but greater severity of respiratory compromise requiring intensive interventions.

The patient population affected spans age groups and health status categories. Children, senior citizens, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions experience heightened vulnerability. However, medical professionals report that even young, previously healthy working adults present with respiratory complaints during post-celebration periods. Some cases manifest as severe pneumonia, both viral and bacterial variants, requiring extended treatment courses of seven to ten days for resolution.

Specific respiratory symptoms reported include persistent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and allergic reactions. Patients with chronic lung conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease face particular risks. Medical advice for these populations emphasises avoiding smoke exposure, maintaining medication adherence, keeping both regular and rescue inhalers accessible, and wearing masks when outdoor exposure cannot be avoided.

The atmospheric pollution documented through monitoring stations directly correlates with respiratory health impacts. Particulate matter 2.5 and 10 penetrate deep into the lungs, triggering inflammatory responses. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides irritate airways and exacerbate underlying respiratory conditions. The combination of elevated particulate matter, gaseous pollutants, and unfavourable meteorological conditions creates an atmospheric environment that challenges respiratory system function.

The timing of peak atmospheric contamination during sleeping hours compounds health risks. When pollutant concentrations reach maximum levels between 10 pm and 6 am, most people remain indoors, often with windows open for ventilation.

During sleep, protective responses such as closing windows, moving to cleaner environments, or using filtration devices cannot be implemented, resulting in prolonged exposure during vulnerable hours.

Regulatory Framework and Compliance Gaps

Maharashtra Pollution Control Board maintains monitoring networks throughout Vidarbha for atmospheric quality, water quality, and noise levels. Continuous ambient quality monitoring stations record real-time data at multiple locations in major cities, including Nagpur, Chandrapur, Akola, and Amravati. The data gets updated regularly on the board's website, providing public access to pollution information.

Guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board address various aspects of celebration-related pollution. These include restrictions on plaster of Paris idol manufacturing, specifications for permissible paint compositions, noise level standards for pyrotechnic products, and designated immersion locations to minimise water body impact.

The Environment Protection Act establishes legal frameworks for enforcement, while the Noise Pollution Regulation and Control Rules specify permissible sound levels for different zone categories.

Despite regulatory frameworks and monitoring infrastructure, compliance remains limited. Testing of commercially available pyrotechnic products revealed widespread violations of noise standards. Water body monitoring consistently documents quality degradation following immersion activities. Atmospheric monitoring shows pollution levels exceeding permissible limits by multiples during celebration periods.

Acoustic measurements demonstrate that sound levels breach regulatory thresholds across all monitored locations throughout celebration periods.

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board reports on celebration-related monitoring highlights the gap between regulatory standards and observed conditions. Annual reports acknowledge that atmospheric quality deteriorates during celebrations, noise levels exceed permissible limits, and water bodies experience quality degradation.

The persistence of these patterns across years indicates that awareness campaigns and existing enforcement mechanisms have not substantially altered the environmental impact trajectory.

The Bombay High Court Nagpur Bench has initiated a suo motu examination of the adverse impacts of immersion activities in water bodies.

Judicial recognition acknowledges that even biodegradable materials cause environmental harm when toxic paints are used for decoration.

The court's consideration of regulating plaster of Paris use in all display objects, not just idols, reflects recognition that guidelines targeting specific items may prove insufficient when broader material usage patterns remain unaddressed.

Local authorities face challenges in implementing restrictions during celebration periods. Cultural sensitivities, large numbers of participants, and concentrated timeframes for enforcement actions create practical difficulties.

Penalty structures for violations exist in regulatory frameworks, but enforcement capacity during peak celebration periods often proves inadequate to the scale of non-compliance.

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