Question : Level of Air Pollution

(a) whether the Government monitors the level of air pollution regularly in various cities including Delhi and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether air pollution has increased in Delhi and other States of the country during the last three years and the current year and if so, the details of the level of pollution in major cities of the country, State/UT-wise;
(c) whether Delhi is world’s most polluted city and Mumbai is fourth, according to air quality data compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) and if so, the details thereof along with the Government reaction thereto;
(d) whether the Government has authorized certain officers to monitor and keep check on the increasing air pollution in Delhi and if so, the details thereof along with the extent to which success has been achieved by such officers in controlling pollution; and
(e) whether there has been reports of violations of norms by certain officers in this regard and if so, the action taken thereon along with the details of steps taken to control air pollution and promote use of CNG in Delhi and other areas which regularly report high level of air pollution?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) & (b) The ambient air quality is being monitored at 703 ambient air quality monitoring stations covering 307 cities/towns in 29 States and 6 Union Territories under National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP). Under NAMP, three air pollutants viz., Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Particulate Matter (PM10) are being monitored at all the locations. Ambient air quality data for 46 million plus cities including Delhi is attached at Annexure-I
Analysis of data of 42 cities shows that SO2 levels were within the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) in all the cities during 2015-17. With respect to NO2, 14 cities showed an increasing trend, 12 cities showed a decreasing concentration, 15 cities showed a fluctuating trend and 1 city revealed steady concentration. With respect to PM10, 12 cities showed an increasing trend, 7 cities showed a decreasing concentration, 23 cities showed a fluctuating trend. With respect to PM2.5, trends are available for 11 cities. Out of 11cities, 02 cities showed an increasing trend, 02 cities showed a decreasing concentration, 07 cities showed a fluctuating trend.

(c) The World Health Organization (WHO) released the WHO Global Ambient Air Quality Database (update 2018). The 2018 version of the WHO ambient (outdoor) air quality database consists mainly of urban air quality data annual means for PM10 and/or PM2.5, covering more than 4000 human settlements in 108 countries for the years from 2008 to 2016. WHO does not rank countries / cities on the basis of air pollution data. However, arranging WHO database for measured PM2.5 in descending order, Delhi comes in 6th position and Mumbai in 97th position. Arranging WHO database for measured PM10 in descending order, Delhi comes in 7th position and Mumbai in 170th position. These two cities are in the list of non-attainment cities.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has formulated National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for abatement of air pollution in the country. The NCAP aspires to strengthen the ongoing government initiatives targeted towards prevention, control and mitigation of air pollution. It lays down a comprehensive framework for management of air quality in the country by augmentation of existing air quality monitoring network and devising air quality management plans for non-attainment cities based on detailed source apportionment (identification of pollution sources) studies for each city.


(d) In Delhi, 40 teams from Central Pollution Control Board were deployed to various parts of Delhi for providing ground level feedback about sources causing air pollution and on the level of implementation of actions identified under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The field visits commenced on September 01, 2017. A total of 388 inspections have been conducted. On the spot reporting of polluting sources with location details to Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) was done by teams. In addition, weekly summarized reports on field feedback were also sent to DPCC for further necessary action.


(e) According to reports submitted by teams & cumulative analysis of weekly feedback reports, construction activity & open storage of construction material, traffic congestion, dumping of construction & solid waste, waste burning and road dust resuspension have been reiterated as major sources of air pollution in Delhi.

The Government has taken several steps to address air pollution which inter alia, include notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards; setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality; introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blending, launching of National Air Quality index; leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards from 1st April, 2018 in Delhi and from 1st April 2020 in rest of the country; notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules; banning of burning of biomass; promotion of public transport network; streamlining the issuance of Pollution Under Control Certificate; issuance of directions under Section 18(1)(b) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries; collection of Environmental Protection Charge on more than 2000 CC diesel vehicles; etc.

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