(a) whether increasing number of vehicles causing environmental pollution is a major concern in urban areas of the country including Assam;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has made any assessment regarding the adverse impact of increasing number of vehicles in the country;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 21 due for reply on 18.07.2017 regarding ‘Environmental Pollution’ by Shri Radheshyam Biswas, Hon''ble Member of Parliament
(a)to (d) Number of sources like vehicles, industries, dust resuspension, gensets, waste burning, construction activities, etc. contribute towards air pollution in urban areas including Assam. Increase in number of vehicles may contribute to rise in air pollution levels in the urban areas. However, with improvement in fuel quality and engine efficiency it is feasible to mitigate the problem of air pollution from vehicles significantly. The Bharat Stage (BS) standards were first introduced in 2000 towards addressing fuel quality and engine efficiency. Progressively stringent norms have been rolled out since then. All new vehicles manufactured after the implementation of the norms have to be compliant with the regulations. Since October 2010, Bharat Stage (BS) III norms have been enforced across the country. In 13 major cities, Bharat Stage IV emission norms have been in place since April 2010and it''s enforced for whole country from 1stApril 2017 for two wheelers, three wheelers and four wheelers. There is no available study with specific reference to adverse impact of increasing number of vehicles on air pollution in the country.
(e) Government has taken several steps to check environmental pollution which, inter alia, include notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards; 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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