Lok Sabha Question No. 2016 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-14
Subject: Increase in Respiratory Diseases due to Pollution
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2016

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2022

## Increase in Respiratory Diseases due to Pollution

## 2016. SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA:

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

- (a) whether the number of patients suffering from respiratory disease has increased due to the worsening levels of pollution in Capital Delhi;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  number of persons died due to the respiratory disease during  the  last  five  years  and  the  current  years,  State/District-wise/  Union  Territories wise;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any survey during the last five years to ascertain the reasons for the increase in the level of pollution during the month of October up to December every year;
- (d) whether State Government has taken any concrete steps in this regard; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the details of funds allocated and utilized for this purpose?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) & (b) Air pollution is one of the triggering factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases. There is no conclusive data available in the country to establish direct correlation of death/ disease exclusively due to air pollution. Health effects of air pollution are synergistic manifestation  of  factors,  which  include  food  habits,  occupational  habits,  socio-economic status, medical history, immunity, heredity, etc., of the individuals.

Indian  Council  of  Medical  Research  (ICMR)  under  the  Ministry  of  Health  & Family Welfare along with Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) has conducted the study titled 'India: Health of the Nation's States - The India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative' which was published in 2017. The study  report  provided  the  distribution  in  diseases  and  risk  factors  across  all  states  of  the country from 1990 to 2016. The five leading risk factors indentified for Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) in 2016 include child and maternal malnutrition, air pollution, dietary risks, high systolic blood pressure, and high fasting plasma glucose.

(c ) to (e)  Apart from multiple sources of air pollution, meteorology plays a dominant role in Delhi's air quality as winters are dominated by cold, dry air, and ground based inversion with low  wind  conditions,  which  makes  the  air  stagnant  and  creates  an  unfavourable  condition resulting in poor dispersion of pollutants.

The  steps  taken  by  the  State  Government  is  attached  as Annexure  I. These actions have yielded a positive impact on air quality and improvement was noted in the year 2021 in comparison to 2016 with the number of 'Good', 'Satisfactory' and 'Moderate' days increasing to 197 against 108 in 2016, and number of 'Poor', 'Very Poor' and 'Severe' days decreasing to 168 against 246 in 2016.

Rs 11.24 Cr. has been released to Delhi in Financial Year 2021-2022 Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

***

Annexure - I referred in reply to part (c) & (d ) of  the Lok  Sabha Unstarred Question No.  2016   due for answer on 07.03.2022  regarding 'Increase in Respiratory Diseases due to Pollution' raised by Shri Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria, Hon'ble M. P.

## Steps taken by the State Government to control air pollution in Delhi-NCR

## A. WINTER ACTION PLAN 2021-2022

Data analysis of particulate matter in air during the last 5 years was done to categorise the pollution potential of every fortnight during winter 2021-22 in Delhi, and accordingly this year, the Delhi Government has made preparations to fight pollution with the help of all departments and agencies.

Two days online round table conference was organized on 12 th & 13 th April 2021 on 'Steps  to  be  taken  to  reduce  Air  Pollution  in  Delhi  before  onset  of  winter  2021'with participation of leading academic institutes, researchers, NGOs, civil society, private and government stakeholders to suggest the strategies on improvement of Air Pollution during oncoming winter season.

A panel discussion was organized on 07.09.2021with expert organizations to discuss and receive feedback on the draft Winter Action Plan prepared for the winter season of 2021 on International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.

The Winter Action Plan 2021-22 was launched by the Government of NCT of Delhi and is a Comprehensive Action Plan prepared in consultation with all stakeholder departments with  targeted  interventions  incorporating  learnings  from  past  years  and  combining  the essence of previous years' measures, directions of Hon'ble Courts, directions of CAQM, and round table conferences with civil society groups, NGOs, research organizational and educational institutions.

Actions  were  translated  into  dynamic  monitorable  parameters.  These  parameters  are monitored  on  a  daily  basis  to  take  effective  action  and  review  meetings  were  held  by Addl. Chief Secretary, Environment on 21.10.2021, 15.11.2021, 19.11.2021 and by Chief Secretary on design and implementation of Winter Action Plan 2021 on 05.10.2021 and 02.11.2021 and by Hon'ble Minister (Environment), on 14.09.2021, 17.09.2021, 30.09.2021,  22.10.2021,  25.10.2021,  09.11.2021,  15.11.2021  and  by  Hon'ble  Chief Minister, Delhi on 13.11.2021 with all government departments and agencies in Delhi.

The Winter Action Plan 2021-22 focusses on the main pillars of air pollution control i.e., road dust management, C&D site dust control, open burning, vehicular pollution control etc. which needs to be undertaken by government departments / municipal corporations and  daily  action  taken  reports  were  mandated  to  be  submitted  to  Department  of Environment.

The Government of Delhi also launched a 10-point Winter Action Plan from 1st October 2021  till  28th  February  2022,  which  encapsulates  the  targeted  actions,  as  reproduced below, that government will undertake during this winter season.

1. Controlling stubble burning
2. Anti-dust campaign
3. Preventing Garbage burning
4. Banning firecrackers
5. Smog Tower
6. Identification and monitoring hotspots
7. Strengthening Green War Room
8. Upgrading Green Delhi App
9. E-waste Park
10. Controlling pollution from vehicles

## B. ACTION TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT WINTER ACTION PLAN (WAP) 20212022

## i. Road Dust Management

Road  dust  is  one  of  the  major  factors  leading  to  air  pollution  in  Delhi.  Hence  for  the effective control and management of road dust, and our action was focused on measures for  controlling  dust  emission.  Some  of  the  key  highlights  of  action  taken  on  road  dust management are:

- a) 69 Mechanical Road Sweeper (MRS) machines have been deployed across Delhi by road owning agencies. Number of MRS machines increased during the present year is 9.
- b) 372 water sprinklers have been deployed across Delhi for suppressing dust particles on roads and more than 39071kms of road length have been sprinkled during October 2021 till 24 th November, 2021. Average road length covered with water sprinkler per day is 25Km.
- c) Consultations  have  been  held  with  RWAs  for  planning  route  and  timing  of  MRS. Advanced  monthly  calendar  for  MRS  operations  will  be  shared  on  website  of agencies and through Whatsapp groups.
- d) Online real time GPS dashboard for monitoring live operations of MRS.
- e) Regular training sessions for sanitation staff,  on  measures are conducted  for controlling road dust.
- f) Regular site visits and monitoring of MRS operations are being done by concerned engineers and supervisors.
- g) Identification  and  repair  of  roads  by  road  owning  agencies  to  ensure  pothole  free roads  in  Delhi  are  ensured.  Area  of  road  patched  during  October  2021  till  24 th November, 2021 is 17502.79 sq. metres while the area paved is 11513.61sq. metres during the same period.
- h) Greening  of  central  verges  and  road  shoulders  has  been  undertaken.  Area  greened during October 2021 till 24 th November, 2021 is 15537.73sq.m.
- i) Directions  have  been  issued  to  different  local  bodies  to  use  dust  suppressants  on construction sites and dusty patches of the road.

## ii. Construction & Demolition Site Dust Control

Dust emissions from construction and demolition sites (C&D)  is another major contributing factor leading to poor air quality in Delhi. The WAP 2021-22 is focused on enforcement  of  dust  control  norms  of  all  C&D  activities  in  Delhi.  Some  of  the  major highlights are:

- a) The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has recently launched an advanced state of the art web portal for periodic self-assessment by project proponent and site in charges of C&D sites on 01.10.2021.
- b) GNCTD has  deployed  585  enforcement  teams  to  ensure  strict  compliance  of  dust control  norms  as  well  as  to  stop  illegal  C&D  waste  dumping,  for  day  and  night patrolling .
- c) At large C&D sites, anti-smog guns have been installed for dust mitigation measures.
- d) 192 vehicles  have  been  pressed  into  used  for  transporting  C&D  waste  to  recycling plants, and 83410metric tonnes C&D waste has been lifted during October 2021 till 24 th November, 2021
- iii. Anti-Dust  Drive  for  C&  D  sites  (07.10.2021  -  30.10.2021  and  re-launched  on 11.11.2021): C&D waste is considerably a major source of Air pollution in Delhi NCR. The Anti-dust campaign had been organized in the month of October 2021. Under this dust drive campaign, a total of 2508 inspections were carried out. Out of which 406 sites were  found  non-complying  and  accordingly  Show  Cause  notices  were  issued  and Environmental Damage Compensation of Rs 123.5 Lakhs has been imposed. This Antidust  campaign  has  been  again  implemented  from  11.11.2021  keeping  in  view  the worsening AQI during the present month. A total of 13659 inspections were carried out. Out of which 1702 sites were found non-complying and accordingly Show Cause notices were  issued  and  Environmental  Damage  Compensation  of  Rs  385.66  Lakhs  has  been imposed.

Efforts  are  being  made  to  control  dust  pollution  due  to  C&  D  waste  /  malba dumping. Approximate  total C&D  waste  generation  in Delhi  -  3711  TPD.  04 Construction  and  Demolition  Waste  Processing  /  Recycling  plants  are  functioning  at present  (as  on  31.10.2021)  with  installed  capacity  of  4150  TPD  (Burari-2000  TPD, Shastri Park-1000TPD, Rani Khera-150 TPD and Bakkarwakla- 1000 TPD). Additional 2500  TPD  facilities  proposed  at,  TehkhandOkhla  (1000  TPD),  Ranikhera  (1000  TPD), Libaspur (500 TPD).

## iv. Open Burning Prohibition

Open burning of biomass and solid waste is another significant contributor to air pollution especially during winters. Key highlights of WAP 2021-22 in controlling open burning are:

- a) 550  enforcement  teams  have  been  deployed  for  identification  and  challaning  of biomass  and  solid  waste  burning  incidences.  The  amount  of  garbage  lifted  is 5,00942.46 metric tons during October 2021 till 22 th November, 2021. In November, 5531number  of  inspections  of  garbage  burning  sites  were  conducted.  1154  open burning incidents were  addressed and fires were doused. 1957 notices/  challans for garbage burning were issued.
- b) Plan is in place for controlling fire at landfill sites.24*7 personnel have been deployed and CCTVs have been installed. Fire tenders have been deployed at landfill sites. No landfill fire incident has been reported this year.
- c) 65 trommel machines have been deployed for processing more than 10000 MT waste per day.

## v. Controlling stubble burning

After  successful  demonstration  over  2000  acres  last  year,  PUSA  Bio-Decomposer  is being sprinkled free of cost by Delhi Government in more than 4200 acres of Basmati and non-Basmati fields harvested using combined harvester during this year.

-  Spray  of  Bio-Decomposer  solution  is  being  conducted  at  59  villages  for  844 farmers of Delhi. Till 24/11/2021, Bio-Decomposer Spraying has been completed for 3935.5 acres Paddy.
-  During  2021-22,  two  incidences  of  crop  residue/  stubble  burning  have  been reported in NCT of Delhi on 09/10/2021 and 25/10/2021 at

Bankner&BajitpurThakran villages.  Penal  action  has  been  taken  by  concerned SDM.

-  During the CFY 2021-22, 86 applications have been considered for distribution of implements  and  machineries.50,000  Pamphlets  were  distributed  for  awareness among farmers and general public. 45 training programs were conducted and 1725 Posters/  Banner  were  displayed  at  prominent  places  in  NCT  of  Delhi  for awareness.
-  Daily  reports  on  prevention  and  control  of  stubble  burning  (as  per  format)  are being sent regularly to CAQM.

## vi. Vehicular Pollution Control

Vehicular pollution is one of the most significant contributors to air pollution. The WAP 2021-22 provides special focus on targeted enforcement against polluting vehicles. Some of the key highlights are:

- a) More than 6000 vehicles have been checked daily for Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate as part of campaign.
- b) 183  enforcement  teams  have  been  deployed  for  checking  of  vehicles,  and  85057 challans have been issued during October 2021 till 24 th November, 2021.
- c) Targeted action for impounding more than 10-year-old Diesel and 15-year-old Petrol vehicles  is  being  taken  and  982  vehicles  have been  impounded  from  01.10.2021  to 24.11.2021.
- d) 64  traffic congestion  points  to  be  resolved  using  engineering,  regulation,  and enforcement-based strategies.
- e) Traffic alerts are being broadcasted through 44 Variable message  signboards functional with 3G connectivity and through social media platforms - Facebook and Twitter. Action has been taken to ensure that traffic signals are functional and on time repair takes place in case of faults.
- f) Other actions taken:
- i. Publication  of  Public  Notices  in  leading  newspapers  regarding  carrying  of valid PUCC while driving vehicle from 19.09.2021 till now every fortnightly to educate general public.
- ii. Around  30  lakhs  SMSs  were  sent  to  vehicle  owners  to  get  their  vehicle checked  for  PUCC  whose  PUCC  had  expired  or  was  going  to  be  expired within one week.
- iii. From 07.10.2021, 56 enforcement teams were deployed to check and challan the vehicles not having valid PUCC or visibly polluting.
- iv. A drive  to  check  functioning  of  PUCC  centers  situated  in  NCT  region  and strict action initiated against defaulting centers.
- v. As a special drive, enforcement teams have been deployed at 92 Petrol Pumps. Since 15/11/2021360 teams have been deployed at every petrol pump/PUCC centers  for  checking  PUCC  of  vehicles  coming  at  these  petrol  pumps  for filling fuel and persuading the vehicle owner/ driver to get the PUCC issued at attached PUCC centers on these petrol pumps.

## (vii) Ban on Sale and Bursting of Fire Crackers:

GNCTD banned sale  and  bursting  of  all  kind  of  fire  crackers  in  Delhi.  Directions were issued on 28.09.2021 under section 31 (A) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 for complete ban on sale and bursting of all kind of fire crackers up to 01.01.2022 in NCT of Delhi.

2154 teams have been constituted for the enforcement of direction. Since 29.09.2021 till 24.11.2021,469 cases have been registered and 320 persons have been arrested for bursting  of  firecrackers  and  919.2  kg  of  firecrackers  has  been  seized.  For  selling/ supplying of firecrackers, about 20794.94 kg of firecrackers have been seized while 130  cases  have  been  registered  with  arrest  of  143  persons  during  the  same  period. 2557  meetings  were  conducted  with  RWAs/NGOs  regarding  the  complete  Ban  on Sale & Bursting of all kinds of firecracker and 1231 schools have been contacted to educate the children on the same.

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