(a) whether the Government has installed/proposes to install smog towers in urban areas of the country including metropolitan cities to curb air pollution;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to set up midsize air purifiers in Government buildings;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the other measures being taken to curb the effects of rising air pollution levels?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)
(a) to (d) Hon’ble Supreme Court has directed that one smog tower be installed at Connaught Place by the Delhi Government and another be installed at AnandVihar by the Central Pollution Control Board. The metropolitan city or other cities that are identified as non-attainment cities (PM10> 60 µg /m3) under NCAP has formulated the city specific action plans based on the local conditions to tackle air pollution.
Further, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has been exploring various technologies for mitigation of air pollution which inter-alia includes, Deployment and Evaluation of Air Purification Units for Traffic Junction Pollution Abatement in Delhi, Control of Dust Emissions using dust Suppressant, Air Pollution Mitigation by Pariyayantra Filtration, Multiple antenna high density ion generator for pollution control etc.
(e) The Central Government has taken several measures for prevention, control and abatement of pollution across the country which inter-alia includes formulation and implementation of National Clean Air Programme for the country; Comprehensive Action Plan, Graded Response Action Plan for Delhi NCR; monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality; Leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards since 1st April, 2018 in NCT of Delhi and by 1st April, 2020 in the rest of the country; Introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.); ensuring stricter norms for reducing industrial emissions; management of Municipal, hazardous, chemical and industrial waste through suitable notifications/regulations etc.
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