(a) whether the Government has assessed the improvement in the environment of Delhi by usage of CNG in vehicles;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has any scheme to encourage the use of CNG instead of diesel in other big cities also; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a)&(b) Ambient air quality data for the years 2003 and 2004, the years after the introduction of CNG, at Delhi’s busiest traffic intersection at ITO indicate reduction in the levels of pollutants like Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) and Carbon Monoxide (CO). However, the level of Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Particulate Matter still exceed the ambient air quality standards. This could be attributed to the rise in vehicle population.
(c)&(d) Pursuant to the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s directions , 16 most polluted cities of the country have prepared action plans to improve the ambient air quality. Change over to cleaner fuels like Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)/Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) etc. is one of the measures contemplated in the action plans.