Pune's Diwali night noisier than last year, air pollution worsens; PM 2.5 levels at 1,000 µg/m³, 17x more than norm

Pune experienced a notable rise in air pollution levels during the recent Diwali celebrations. The peak PM2.5 concentration reached around 1,000 µg/m³, exceeding national standards. Noise levels also increased at various monitored locations, highlighting violations of existing norms. Residents and activists have called for stricter regulations regarding firecracker usage after witnessing these pollution levels. Effective implementation of current policies remains a pressing concern for the community.