Lok Sabha Question No. 2900 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-28
Subject: Target of Reducing Air Pollution
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA, KAMAL NATH, T.G. VENKATESH BABU

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION N0.2900

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.12.2018

## Target of Reducing Air Pollution

## 2900.   SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA: SHRI KAMAL NATH: SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

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

- (a) whether the Union Government has recently fixed a target of reducing air pollution by 20-30 percent in more than 100 cities across the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Union  Government  has  since  ascertained  the  factors  responsible  for increase in air pollution in most of the cities;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Central Pollution Control Board and National Clean Air Programme have not  been  effectively  functioning  to  control/check  air  pollution  across  the  country resulting in various diseases to citizens; and
- (e)     if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  Union  Government  has  taken  to  tone  up  the functioning of the bodies which are not functioning properly?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  In  order  to  address  the  increasing  air  pollution  across  the  country  in  a  comprehensive manner,  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  has  finalized  the  National Clean Air Program (NCAP) as a pan India time bound national level strategy. City specific action plans are being formulated for 102 non-attainment cities identified for implementing mitigation actions under NCAP. Taking into account the available international experiences and  national  studies,  midterm  target  of  20-30%  for  reduction  of  PM2.5  and  PM10 concentration  by  2024  is  part  of  the  NCAP.  This  is  keeping  2017  as  the  base  year  for comparison of concentration.

(b) &(c) Data  generated  from  NAMP  over  the  years  reveal  that  particulate  matters (PM10  &  PM2.5)  are  the  major  challenge  which  are  found  to  be  exceeding  the  National Ambient Air Quality Standard across country, specifically in urban areas of Indo-Gangetic plain.  Other  pollutants  viz  SOx  and  NOx  and  ozone  are  mostly  observed  to  be  within  the prescribed  national  standards.  While  vehicles,  industries,  constructions,  road  dust,  biomass burning are major sources of pollution for the region, the inherent disadvantages of the IndoGangetic  plain  stemming  from  its  geographical  location  and  dry-alluvial  soil  composition compounds the air pollution levels  for the region. Temperature inversions and stable  wind conditions which are characteristic features in North India during winters further adds to air pollution levels.

(d) &(e) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change along with Central Pollution Control  Board  has  taken  many  initiatives  to  curb  the  air  pollution  and  improve  the  air quality inter alia, include notification of  Graded Response Action Plan for different levels of air pollution in Delhi and NCR; 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; universalization of BS-IV from 2017; leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards since 1st April, 2018 in National Capital Territory of Delhi and from 1st April, 2020 in the rest of the country; notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management  Rules;  banning  of  burning  of  biomass;  notifications  regarding  Mandatory Implementation of Dust Mitigation Measures for all Construction and Demolition Activities; 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, etc.

With all these initiatives, Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS) data has indicated some improvement in air quality of Delhi in 2018 (Jan- Dec 11, 2018) compared to 2017 (Jan - Dec 11, 2017), such as increase in number of 'Good' to 'Moderate' days to 158 from 151 in 2017, and reduction in number of 'Poor' to 'Severe' days from 194 in 2017 to 187 in 2018, despite usual seasonal pattern wherein minimum pollutant levels are observed  during  monsoon,  moderate  levels  during  summers  and  high  concentration  of pollutants in winters. In addition to above, Institutional Framework at Centre and State Level are part of NCAP for its effective implementation and for ensuring accountability of agencies for success of the NCAP.

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