Delhi suffered a noisier Diwali this year, with most neighbourhoods crossing the permissible noise limits despite restrictions.

The decibel limits were higher on the night than previous years.

Real-time data from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) revealed that 23 of the 26 active noise monitoring stations in the city reported noise levels above the permissible limits, up from 22 stations last year, and 13 in 2023.

Karol Bagh, among the city's busiest commercial areas, emerged as the loudest, with decibel levels peaking at 93.5 dB(A), or A-weighted decibels, around 11 pm on Diwali night.

Although marginally lower than last year's 94.5 dB(A), the area remained noisy throughout the day, breaching the night-time limit of 55 dB(A). The noise level continued to ratchet up until 2

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