(a) whether the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued directives to the Government to check air pollution in most of the cities and towns in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the National Green Tribunal has asked the Government for strict compliance of environmental norms to check all types of pollution; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereon?
MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)
(a) National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given various directions for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution in the country which include air pollution from vehicular exhaust, biomass burning, fire crackers, garbage burning, industrial exhaust etc.
(b) & (c) NGT has issued directions for ensuring strict compliance of environmental norms and standards for mitigation of pollution. In order to improve compliance with the directions, regular review meetings are being held by Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. In addition, review meetings are also conducted by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Governments. Further, Government has taken a number of measures for control of air pollution in the country which, inter alia, include notification of NAAQS; notification and revision of emission and effluent standards for various industrial sectors; setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality; launching of National Air Quality index; introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels; universalization of BS-IV by 2017; leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards by 1st April, 2020; promotion of public transport and network of metro, e-rickshaws, promotion of car pooling, Pollution Under Control Certificate, lane discipline, vehicle maintenance, notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules; banning of burning of biomass; issuance of directions under Section 18(1)(b) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 comprising of action points to counter air pollution in major cities including control and mitigation measures related to vehicular emissions, re-suspension of road dust and other fugitive emissions, bio-mass/municipal solid waste burning, industrial pollution, construction and demolition activities, and other general steps; installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries; collection of Environmental Protection Charge on more than 2000 CC diesel vehicles; and notification of graded response action plan for Delhi and NCR etc.
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