More emergency fire calls in Kolkata this Diwali

Kolakta: The West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services here received 108 calls on Diwali, slightly higher than last year, an official said on Friday.

"Till 12 midnight October 23, we received 108 calls. This is slightly higher than last year as Diwali and Kali puja coincided," an official said.

According to the average air quality data available on the website of the state's Pollution Control Board, the big particulate matter (PM 10) was 151.55 microgram per cubic metre a day before the festival.

On October 23 it was 168.26 microgram per cubic metre. Carbon monoxide levels were also slightly higher.

Officials of the pollution control agency could not be contacted.

"The air was thick with smoke last night. People had difficulty while driving as visibility was low," environmentalist Subhash Dutta said.