Archive · 29 Sep 2026
TNPCB Extends Chennai Diwali Noise Monitoring Across 60 Stations
Chennai will use 60 sensors to measure noise during Diwali.
The sensors are spread across all 15 zones of the city.
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board is conducting the study with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
Four sensors were placed in each zone.
They measured noise during the day and night from March to December 2025.
The board extended the study for another year so it could include Diwali celebrations.
Officials said festival noise in Chennai can be high and needs close monitoring.
Environmentalists want readings from every station and checks to ensure the sensors are accurate.
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board will monitor Diwali noise across Chennai using 60 stations in 15 zones.
The stations were installed with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras for a citywide noise-mapping study.
Four low-cost sensors per zone recorded daytime and nighttime ambient noise from March through December 2025.
TNPCB extended the observation period by one year so Diwali readings could be included.
Environmentalists welcomed the monitoring but requested station-wise data and checks on sensor calibration.
- Who
- The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, working with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, will conduct the monitoring; environmentalists have requested full data disclosure and sensor checks.
- What
- Noise levels will be monitored at 60 stations across Chennai during Diwali as part of an extended study.
- When
- Sensors collected data from March through December 2025, and the observation period was extended by one year to include Diwali.
- Where
- Across Chennai’s 15 zones, with four stations in each zone.
- Why
- The monitoring is intended to assess Diwali noise alongside longer-term readings in a city known for high festival noise.
Environmentalists’ requests
TNPCB’s monitoring plan
Data disclosure
Environmentalists’ requests
Environmentalists want readings from every station published so the public can compare noise across Chennai and assess whether the monitoring represents the city.
TNPCB’s monitoring plan
TNPCB plans to continue citywide monitoring and add Diwali readings to observations already collected at the same locations.
Sensor reliability
Environmentalists’ requests
G Sundarrajan of Poovulagin Nanbargal said sensor calibration must be checked and the data must represent the whole city rather than only selected locations.
TNPCB’s monitoring plan
The board is using low-cost sensors distributed across all 15 zones as part of its study with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
- Monitoring authority
- Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board
- Research partner
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras
- Number of stations
- 60
- Geographic coverage
- All 15 Chennai zones
- Sensor allocation
- Four low-cost sensors per zone
- Earlier observation period
- March through December 2025
- Other cities under consideration
- Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli and Salem