MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a)& (b) A report on Ambient Air Quality Status in 15 Major Cities of India has been submitted by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in Original Application No. 21 of 2014 in the matter of Vardhaman Kaushik Vs. Union of India & Others to National Green Tribunal. The analysis of the monitored parameters of SO2, NO2 and PM10, in the 15 cities covering 8 states during 2011 to 2015 indicates that SO2 levels were very low in all the 15 cities ranged between 3 µg/m³ to 32 µg/m³ against the National Annual Average Standard of 50 µg/m³. The NO2 levels were within the prescribed National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) in the cities except Pune and Kolkata during most of the years and fluctuating trends of NO2 in the range of 13µg/m³ to 70µg/m³ was observed in the five years. The Particulate Matter (PM10) levels were observed fluctuating trend in all the fifteen (15) cities. The ambient air quality status with respect to annual averages for SO2, NO2 and PM10 for five years (2011-2015) is given at Annexure.
(c) No, Sir.
(d) Does not arise in view of answer at (c) above.
(e) The major steps being taken by the Government to ensure that people living in cities get pollution free air inter alia include the following:-
(i) Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards;
(ii) Formulation of environmental regulations / statutes;
(iii) Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality;
(iv) Introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blend etc.;
(v) Promotion of cleaner production processes.
(vi) Launching of National Air Quality index by the Prime Minister in April, 2015;
(vii) Implementation of Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) norms in 63 selected cities and universalization of BS-IV by 2017;
(viii) Decision taken to leapfrog directly from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards by 1st April, 2020;
(ix) Taxing polluting vehicles and incentivizing hybrid and electric vehicles;
(x) Comprehensive amendments to various Waste Management Rules including Municipal Solid Waste, Plastic Waste, Hazardous Waste, Bio-medical Waste and Electronic Waste notified;
(xi) Notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules;
(xii) Ban on burning of leaves, biomass, municipal solid waste;
(xiii) Promotion of public transport network of metro, buses, e-rickshaws and promotion of car pooling, Pollution Under Control, lane discipline, vehicle maintenance;
(xiv) Revision of existing environmental standards and formulation of new standards for prevention and control of pollution from industries;
(xv) Regular co-ordination meetings at official and ministerial level with Delhi and other State Governments within the NCR;
(xvi) Issuance of directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and under Section 18(1)(b) of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981;
(xvii) Installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries.
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