(a) whether air and noise pollution in Delhi and other metropolitan
cities are increasing;
(b) if so, the details alongwith the details of health hazards involved;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any survey in this regard;
(d) if so, the names of the States/cities; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to resolve the menace?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) to(e) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in collaboration
with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees
(PCCs) is monitoring ambient air quality. The ambient air quality is
monitored in respect of Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
and Particulate Matter (PM10). The ambient air quality data of metro
cities for last 3 years (2009-2011) reveal that the concentration of SO2
is fluctuating but within the National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) in all metro cities. The value of NO2 is also within the NAAQS
except in some cities such as Asansol, Delhi, Faridabad, Jamshedpur,
Kolkata, Meerut. However, the concentration of PM10 in exceeding the
NAAQS in all metro cities except Kochi, Madurai, Malappuram&Thrissur.
Ambient Noise Monitoring is also undertaken by respective State Pollution
Control Board and Central Pollution Control Board at 35 locations in
7 metro-cities namely Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkatta, Hyderabad,
Bangalore and Lucknow. The noise level data are exceeding the standards
at all locations during day and night time. According to some epidemiological
studies, health effects such as manifestation of respiratory and cardiovascular
aliments etc. could be associated with air pollution. However, there is no
conclusive data available to confirm these figures.The steps taken by the
Government to improve the ambient air quality inter alia, includes:
(i) A comprehensive Policy for Abatement of Pollution that lays stress
on both the control and preventive aspects of pollution has been formulated;
(ii) City specific action plans have also been prepared and are at
various stages of implementation;
(iii) Emission standards for on-road vehicles and mass emission standards
for new vehicles have been notified under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and
are enforced by Transport Departments of the State Governments.
(iv) Unleaded petrol is supplied in the entire country from 1.2.2000.
Bharat stage-IV emission norms introduced in 13 mega cities including NCR
for new 4-wheelers in 2010. Bharat stage III norms introduced for two,
three wheelers and diesel driven agricultural tractors from April 1,
2010 throughout country.
(v) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is supplied for automobiles through
a number of retail outlets in Delhi and Mumbai to cater to the CNG vehicles.
(vi) Effluent and emission standards for industries have been notified
under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to check pollution.