Question : AIR POLLUTION IN BIG CITIES

(a) whether air pollution is increasing rapidly in big cities including four metro cities of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the level of air pollution in each of these cities and the reasons therefor ; and

(c) the effective measures taken or being taken by the Government to address the issue?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

(a)to(c) : The ambient air quality is monitored across the country under the National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP) by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), NEERI, Nagpur and respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/ Pollution Control Committees (PCCs). The analysis of data for residential areas of 35 big cities (population more than 1 million in 2001 Census) under NAMP for the last three years, against the revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)-2009, indicates that the annual average levels of Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) are within the prescribed norms of 50 Âµg/m3.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels are exceeding the prescribed standards in 10 cities, namely, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Asansol, Bengaluru, Faridabad, Jamshedpur, Meerut, Patna and Pune. There is an increasing trend of NO2 levels in Asansol and Bengaluru.

The levels of fine particulate matter (PM10) are exceeding the standards in all but two big cities, namely, Kochi and Madurai. There is an increasing trend in PM10 levels barring a few cities. Air quality data for last three years for four metro cities is given below :


Year	2007	2008	2009
City Name	SO2	NO2	PM10	SO2	NO2	PM10	SO2	NO2	PM10
Chennai	11	16	60	09	15	63	09	17	70
Delhi	06	50	170	06	57	214	06	49	243
Kolkata	09	60	99	08	64	103	16	56	187
Mumbai	10	39	92	09	40	127	06	42	109

Note : All values are annual averages and in microgramme/m3
The air pollution is increasing because of urbanisation, increase in population, increase in number of vehicles, industrialisation, use of generator sets, etc. Various steps taken by the Government to reduce air pollution in big cities are as follows:

i. Bharat Stage (BS) III emission norms for passenger cars and BS II norms for two wheelers in ten metro cities, namely, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad & Secunderabad, Kanpur, Pune, Surat and Agra apart from National Capital Region are implemented since 01-04-2005.
ii. BS IV emission norms for passenger cars and B.S. III for two wheelers in above ten metro cities apart from National Capital Region are implemented with effect from 01-04-2010.
iii. Stricter pollution under control (PUC) norms for in-use vehicles have been implemented with effect from 01-10-2004.
iv. The emission standards for industries have been notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
v. Use of beneficiated coal in coal based thermal power plants is in vogue.
vi. Fuel quality in accordance with the roadmap of Auto Fuel Policy is being ensured in all metro cities across the country, as per notification.
vii. Mass rapid transport system (MRTS) including Metro has been introduced in select metro cities in the country.
viii. Infrastructure related to construction of flyovers, bridges and roads, to reduce congestion on roads, has been augmented.

Question : AIR POLLUTION IN BIG CITIES

Answer given by the minister

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