Question : MONITORING OF AIR POLLUTION IN METRO CITIES

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS(SHRI T.R. BAALU)

(a) to (e) The ambient air quality is monitored regularly through a network of 290 stations in 92 cities of the country for three criteria pollutants namely, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and suspended particulate matter. Monitoring of specific pollutants like benzene and volatile organic compounds (VOC) has been initiated in Delhi, Mumbai and Kanpur, extendable to other cities depending upon availability of resources.

No.H-11016/49/2000-CPA
Government of India
Ministry of Environment and Forests
Paryavaran Bhawan,
Lodi Road, C.G.O. Complex
New Delhi-110003

711.2000

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Factual information on Lok Sabha Question Dy. No. 6821 on Monitoring of air in metro cities

The undersigned is directed to refer to the above mentioned subject and to say that the ambient air quality is monitored regularly through a network of monitoring stations under the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme at 290 stations covering 90 cities/towns distributed over 24 States and 4 Union Territories. The pollutants monitored by these stations are sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and suspended particulate matter. Besides, monitoring above criteria pollutants, the specific pollutants like carbon monoxide and respiratory particulate matter are also monitored in certain metropolitan cities. Ambient levels of benzene has been monitored only in Delhi since May,1999. The monthly average values recorded at the range of 13-26 micrograms per cubic meter. At present VOC is not monitored in ambient air.

This issues with the approval of the competent authority in the Ministry.