The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) will set up air temporary monitoring stations to measure air quality during the Pongala at the Attukal temple.
The board had made arrangements to set up stations in at least three places in the city. The board would also monitor the decibel levels during the festival, sources said.
PCB Environmental Engineer M. Dileep Kumar said in a release that the monitoring stations would be set up inside the PRS Hospital, Attukal Hospital, and near Cosmo Hospital.
The board had decided to deploy its personnel with sound level meters.
Temple authorities should adhere to the noise pollution rules and ambient noise levels should be maintained. Those using loudspeakers would have to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000, including limiting the intensity of sound below 75 decibels between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., he said.
Devotees had been requested to use burnt bricks to set up hearths for Pongala. If the bricks were not burnt, there was every chance of it getting crushed and dust particles would further deteriorate the air quality, he said.
The board requested the devotees not to throw the remains in the open and in the Killiyar.
The devotees should take all precautions to minimise environmental damage, the release said.
