Question : Air Pollution

(a) whether the level of air pollution in the country has been rising rapidly and the quality of ambient air has become unsafe for breathing in several metropolitan cities especially after Diwali;
(b) if so, the status thereof along with the major causes of air pollution;
(c) the concrete measures taken by the Government to regulate air pollution and the outcome of the said efforts;
(d) whether the Government has received any proposal from various States as well as foreign countries/agencies to combat air pollution; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

(a) & (b) The air pollution in some cities in the country has been reported high with respect to Particulate Matter (PM10 & PM2.5) especially after Deepawali. The status in respect of 30 cities with respect to air quality index for the period between November, 2015 to October, 2016 is enclosed as Annexure. The increase in pollution occurs due to meteorological conditions like low temperature, wind speed and mixing height in addition to the major contributing factors like road dust, vehicular emissions, construction and demolition activities, gensets, industrial emissions, garbage burning, stubble burning, hot mix plants, brick kilns etc.

(c) The major steps taken by Government to regulate air pollution in the country inter alia include notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards; formulation of environmental regulations / statutes; setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality; introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blending; promotion of cleaner production processes; launching of National Air Quality index; universalization of BS-IV by 2017; leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards by 1st April, 2020; comprehensive amendments to various Waste Management Rules and notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules; banning of burning of leaves, biomass, municipal solid waste; promotion of public transport and network of metro, e-rickshaws, promotion of carpooling, Pollution Under Control Certificate, lane discipline, vehicle maintenance; regular co-ordination meetings at official and ministerial level with Delhi and other State Governments within the NCR; issuance of directions under Section 18(1)(b) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries; collection of Environmental Protection Charge on more than 2000 CC diesel vehicles; and ban on bursting of sound emitting crackers between 10 PM to 6 AM etc.

(d) & (e) Proposals are received by the Central Government from the State Governments to fund pollution control/monitoring activities. Under the various schemes of Government of India assistance is given to State Governments/Bodies/ Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). CPCB has been releasing funds to State/UTs under the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme from time to time. This Ministry also releases funds under the scheme viz. Assistance for Abatement of Pollution and development/promotion of Clean Technology and waste minimization strategies to control pollution. Further, discussions on combating air pollution have also been held with officials of World Bank, Global Environmental Facility and United States of America.

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