(a) whether adoption of solar power over fossil fuels would be the only solution to India''s increasing pollution; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?
(a) whether adoption of solar power over fossil fuels would be the only solution to India''s increasing pollution; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a) & (b) No, Sir. In addition to promotion of solar power, the government is taking various steps to control the pollution from various sources including pollution from fossil fuels. The major steps being taken by the Government to control the air pollution inter alia include the following:-
(i) Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards;
(ii) Formulation of environmental regulations / statutes;
(iii) Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality;
(iv) Introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blend etc.;
(v) Promotion of cleaner production processes;
(vi) Launching of National Air Quality index by the Prime Minister in April, 2015;
(vii) Implementation of Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) norms in 63 selected cities and universalization of BS-IV by 2017;
(viii) Decision taken to leapfrog directly from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards by 1st April, 2020;
(ix) Taxing polluting vehicles and incentivizing hybrid and electric vehicles;
(x) Comprehensive amendments to various Waste Management Rules including Municipal Solid Waste, Plastic Waste, Hazardous Waste, Bio-medical Waste and Electronic Waste notified;
(xi) Notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules;
(xii) Ban on burning of leaves, biomass, municipal solid waste;
(xiii) Promotion of public transport network of metro, buses, e-rickshaws and promotion of car pooling, Pollution Under Control, lane discipline, vehicle maintenance;
(xiv) Revision of existing environmental standards and formulation of new standards for prevention and control of pollution from industries;
(xv) Regular co-ordination meetings at official and ministerial level with Delhi and other State Governments within the NCR;
(xvi) Issuance of directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and under Section 18(1) (b) of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 for prevention of pollution from various sources including switching over to Natural Gas by industries, wherever feasible;
(xvii) Installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries;
(xviii) Revision of emission standards including thermal power plants, cement plants, etc.
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