Lok Sabha Question No. 3233 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-12
Subject: Environmental Upgradation of Cities
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Rama Devi, Sadashiv Kisan Lokhande

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION N0. 3233

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.07.2019

## Environmental Upgradation of Cities

## 3233. SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI: SHRI SADASHIV LOKHANDE :

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any scheme has been launched for environmental upgradation of cities;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  name  of  the  States  from  which  the  Union  Government  has  received  proposals  for environmental upgradation during the last two years;
- (d) the action taken on the said proposals so far; and
- (e) the number of such proposals pending with the Government?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) to  (e)  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  has  launched  National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in January 2019 to tackle the problem of air pollution in a comprehensive manner with targets to achieve 20 to 30 % reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations by 2024. Based on ambient air quality data for the period of 2011-2015 and WHO reports 2014/18, 102 non-attainment cities that failed to meet prescribed standards have been identified for formulation and implementation of city specific action plan under NCAP.

In addition to above, the Central Government has taken a number ofinitiatives for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution. These include

## Plans and Directions

-  Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP) identifying timelines and implementing agency for  actions  identified  for  prevention,  control  and  mitigation  of  air  pollution  in Delhi and NCR has been notified.
-  Graded  Response  Action  Plan  for  different  levels  of  air pollution in  Delhi  and NCR has been notified.

## Monitoring

-  Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality.
-  Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
-  Launch of National Air Quality Index.
-  Implementation of Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi in October, 2018 in association with Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

## Transport

-  Leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards since 1st April, 2018 in NCT of Delhi and from by 1st April, 2020 in the rest of the country.
-  Introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blending.
-  Promotion  of  public  transport  and  improvements  in  roads  and  building  of  more bridges to ease congestion on roads.
-  Operationalisation of Eastern Peripheral Expressway &  Western Peripheral Expressway to divert non-destined traffic from Delhi.
-  Streamlining the issuance of Pollution Under Control Certificate.

## Industry

-  Badarpur thermal power plant has been closed from 15th October, 2018.
-  All brick kilns have been shifted to zig-zag technology in Delhi and NCR.
-  Installation  of  on-line  continuous  (24x7)  monitoring  devices  all  red  category industries in Delhi and NCR.
-  Revision of emission standards for industrial sectors from time to time.

## Biomass and Solid Waste

-  A new Central Sector Scheme on 'Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for insitu management of Crop Residue in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi' for the period from 2018-19 and 2019-20 has been launched.
-  Banning of burning of biomass.
-  3  Waste-to-Energy  (W-t-E)  plants  are  currently  operational  in  Delhi  with  atotal capacity of 5100 Tonnes Per Day(TPD).
-  Notifications of 6 waste management rules covering solid waste, plastic waste, ewaste, bio-medical waste, C&D waste and hazardous wastes issued in 2016.

## Dust

-  Notifications regarding dust mitigation measures for construction and demolition activities.
-  Number of mechanised road sweeping machines has been increased significantly and presently 60 machines are deployed for cleaning of roads in Delhi.

## Public Outreach

-  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  &  Climate  Change  (MoEF&CC)  and  Delhi Government launched Clean Air for Delhi Campaign from 10th - 23rd Feb 2018
- and to check air polluting activities pre and post Diwali, a special campaign called 'Clean Air Campaign' during November 01, 2018 to November 10, 2018.
-  Ministry is promoting peoples participation and awareness building among citizens for  environmental  conservation  through  Green  Goods  Deeds  that  focus  on promotion of cycling, saving water and electricity, growing trees, proper maintenance of vehicles, following of lane discipline and reducing congestion on roads by car pooling etc.
-  Development  of  mechanism  for  redressal  of  public  complaints  regarding  air pollution issues in Delhi and NCR (through 'Sameer App', 'Emails'(aircomplaints.cpcb@gov.in) and 'Social Media Networks' (Facebook and Twitter) etc.

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