(a) whether Guntur and Krishna districts in AndhraPradesh have been identified under National Clean AirProgramme to tackle air pollution and bring downparticulate matter to acceptable levels;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the goals setto be achieved under the programme by 2024;
(c) the details of city-specific Action Plan preparedby the Government to achieve the goals set by 2024;and
(d) the details of funds allocated, approved, releasedand spent for this purpose so far?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)
(a) to d) The Central Government launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a long-term, time-bound, national level strategy to tackle the air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner with targets to achieve 20 % to 30 % reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations by 2024 keeping 2017 as the base year for the comparison of concentration. Under NCAP, 102 non-attainment cities have been identified including Guntur and Vijayawada from Guntur and Krishna districts respectively in Andhra Pradesh based on ambient air quality data for the period 2011 – 2015 and WHO report 2014/2018. The city specific Action Plans have been prepared which inter-alia include measures for strengthening the monitoring network, reducing vehicular/industrial emissions, increasing public awareness etc.
For the cities with million plus population and PM10>90µg/m³, MoEF&CC has earmarked ?10 Crores for various components that inter-alia includes Installation and commissioning of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS), Creating green buffer zone along the roads, Mechanical street sweeper, Mobile Enforcement Unit, Public awareness and capacity building activities, Water sprinkler. For the cities with population, less than 5 lakhs, funds of ?10 lakhs per city has been allocated and for cities with a population of 5 to10 lakhs, ?20 lakhs per city has been allocated for capacity building and public awareness programs. Further, under NCAP, Committees at State level namely Steering Committee, Monitoring Committee and Implementation Committee have been constituted for effective implementation and monitoring of the city specific action plans to reduce air pollution.
***