(a) whether increasing of vehicles is a major concern of environment
pollution in urban areas of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether Government has made any assessment regarding the adverse
effect of increase of vehicles in the country;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken /being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) to (d) Yes, Sir. The increasing number of vehicles in the country
especially in the urban areas is a major source of air pollution concern.
A number of studies have been conducted in this regard by various institutions
such as Indian Institute of Technology (IITs), National Environmental Engineering
Research Institute (NEERI), Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), The
Energy Research Institute (TERI) etc. A Source Apportionment Study in six mega
cities has been conducted by CPCB in collaboration with IITs, NEERI, ARAI, TERI
etc. which provides contribution of transport sector to ambient PM10 levels in
Bangalore (11-23%), Chennai (35-48%), Delhi (9-21%), Kanpur (15-17%), Mumbai
(8-26%) and Pune (2-10%). The adverse effects of carbon monoxide, particulate
matter and lead have been studied by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences,
Chittranjan Cancer Institute and Bhabha Atomic Research Center respectively.
The carbon monoxide, particulate matter, lead, oxides of nitrogen, oxides of
sulpher etc. are responsible for adverse effect on human being and cause pulmonary,
cardiovascular, cancerous and neurological diseases.
(e) Steps taken by the Government for controlling vehicular pollution in the
country are as follows:
(i) Bharat Stage (BS) –IV emission norms have been implemented in 13 cities
of the country from April, 2010, while BS-III emission norms have been implemented
in the entire country from April, 2010 for four wheelers.
(ii) Mass emission standards (Bharat Stage III) have been notified for two,
three wheelers and diesel driven agriculture tractors from April, 2010
throughout country.
(iii) Availability of pre-mix 2 T oil in petrol at all petrol outlets.
(iv) Public transportation systems in several major cities are now running
on clean fuels like Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
(v) Pollution under Control (PUC) norms for diesel vehicles have been revised
and made stringent from the year 2010.
(vi) Expansion of Metro and the rapid mass transport systems in major cities.
(vii) Action plans have been prepared and are being implemented for 16 highly
polluting cities as per the directives of Hon’ble Supreme Court.