Question : Action Plan on Air Pollution

(a) whether the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has any plan to execute a nation-wide programme to curb air pollution and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the status of implementation of the ‘graded response action plan’ to tackle different levels of pollution in Delhi;
(c) whether the said action plan is likely to be implemented at the National level and if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether the CPCB has organised a comprehensive programme through mass media to tackle pollution, if so, the details thereof and if not, the corrective steps taken thereon; and
(e) whether the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) has conducted inspection of 962 Pollution Under Control (PUC) Centres in Delhi, if so, the outcome thereof along with similar measures proposed to be taken at the National level as well as the steps taken to ensure PUC compliance and linking of PUC certificate with insurance of vehicles?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

(a) As a nationwide action plan, CPCB has issued a comprehensive set of directions under section 18 (1) (b) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1986 comprising of action points to counter air pollution in major cities which include 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. The State Pollution Control Boards have initiated steps towards implementation of these directions. In addition, CPCB has taken several other steps to address the issue of pollution which inter alia, include notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards; launching of National Air Quality index; installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries; issuance of advisories for ban on bursting of sound emitting crackers between 10 PM to 6 AM;notification of graded response action plan for Delhi and NCR etc.

(b) &(c) Government has notified a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi and NCR, formulated on the basis of inputs from CPCB. The task of implementation of GRAP has been assigned to Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA). A Task Force on GRAP has been constituted to review air quality status including weather and air quality forecast, and suggest additional measures during emergency.

(d) CPCB brings out National Air Quality Index with respect to major cities covered by Continuous Air Quality Monitoring Stations on daily basis which has been widely covered by media and has led to mass awareness. Further, CPCB has also published data regarding air pollution from time to time which has been well covered in media.

(e) EPCA has been directed by Supreme Court to carry out inspection of Pollution Under Control (PUC) Centres in Delhi NCR. Irregularities have been observed in issuance of PUC certificates. Appropriate directions in the matter have been issued to States and Union Territories.

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