(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the report
complied by the Asian Development Bank declaring air quality in Delhi as one of the dirtiest in Asia;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the measures taken / proposed by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a) & ( b) Yes, Sir. As per the Asian Development Bank (discussion draft,
December, 2006) on Urban Air Quality Management, the Annual average ambient
concentration of PM10 in selected Asian cities has been compared.
The data indicates that PM10 levels in Beijing , Xian , Dhaka and Kathmandu
are higher than New Delhi. However, the report also compares the PM10 level
in these cities with WHO Air Quality Guidelines for PM10 and none of these
five cities meet the WHO Guidelines for PM10 .
(c) the steps taken to abate air pollution include–
# Notification of general and source specific environmental standards;
# Identification of sources of pollution;
# Control of vehicular pollution through promotion of cleaner fuels
and enforcement of auto exhaust standards at manufacturing stage;
# Introduction of Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certification system
for in use vehicles;
# Preparation of city specific Action Plans for improvement of air quality; and
# Regular monitoring for environmental compliance.