Lok Sabha Question No. 103 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: Environment Management Schemes for Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Anurag Sharma

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 103

TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024

## Environment Management Schemes for Uttar Pradesh

## 103. SHRI ANURAG SHARMA:

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

- (a) The  mechanism  in  place  to  implement  and  monitor  pollution  control  measures effectively in the State of Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) Whether any new or expanded environment management schemes is specially tailored for Uttar Pradesh, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) The steps taken to curb air and water pollution in urban and rural areas and whether there are provisions for regular assessments to ensure their long-term success, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

## (a):

Uttar Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has been constituted under the Water (Prevention  and  Control  of  Pollution)  Act  1974  and  the  Air  (Prevention  and  Control  of Pollution) Act 1981 in Uttar Pradesh to implement and monitor pollution control measures in the state as stipulated in above said Acts. UPPCB also performs roles under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

## (b) and (c):

Government of  India  has  launched  National  Clean  Air  Programme  (NCAP)  in  2019  as  a national level strategy to reduce air pollution levels across the country. Based on the available international experiences and national studies, the tentative national level target under NCAP is 20%-30% reduction of particulate matter concentration by 2024. Target has been revised to achieve reduction in PM10 level up to 40% or achievement of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (60 µg/m 3 ) by 2025-26.

Central  Pollution  Control  Board  (CPCB)  has  identified  130  million  plus  /  non-attainment cities (cities exceeding National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), consecutively for five years) including 17 cities of Uttar Pradesh namely Agra, Allahabad, Anpara, Bareilly, Firozabad, Gajraula, Ghaziabad, Jhansi, Kanpur, Khurja, Lucknow, Moradabad, Noida, Rae

Bareli, Varanasi, Gorakhpur and Meerut. City Specific Clean Air Action Plans have been prepared and rolled out for implementation in all these 130 non-attainment/million plus cities to  improve  the  air  quality.  Besides  above  Graded  Response  Action  Plan  (GRAP)  also implemented in all National capital Region (NCR cities) and other Non-attainment Cities of Uttar Pradesh.

These city specific clean air action plans target city specific air polluting sources like Soil & Road  Dust,  Vehicles,  Domestic  Fuel,  Solid  Waste  Burning,  Construction  Material  and Industries with short-term priority action as well as those to be implemented in a medium to longer time frame along with the responsible agencies.

Further,  all  States/UTs  including  Uttar  Pradesh  are  in  the  process  of  preparation  of  State Action Plans, which includes specific actions for Vehicles, Construction & Demolition Waste, Road Dust Management, Biomass burning and Industries.

NCAP aims to Prevent, Control and Abate air pollution through funding from State funds & convergence of various schemes such as SBM2.0, AMRUT, SATAT, SMART City Mission etc.  that have a bearing on air quality, apart from NCAP and XVFC grants. Under NCAP and XVFC grant, a total amount of Rs. 2261.03 Cr have been released to 17 cities of Uttar Pradesh from FY 2019-20 to till date (19.11.2024) for air quality improvement and an amount of Rs . 1698.05 Cr has  been  utilized  till  19.11.2024 . To  attain  the  fixed  targets  under  NCAP, performance based funds / grants are being released under NCAP/XVFC from FY 2019-20 till FY 2025-26. Details of city wise fund released and utilized is attached at Annexure-I

'PRANA'  -  Portal  for  Regulation  of  Air-pollution  in  Non-Attainment  cities,  has  been developed  as  a  portal  for  monitoring  implementation  of  National  Clean  Air  Programme (NCAP) and is available on www.prana.cpcb.gov.in. PRANA endeavours to track physical as well  as  financial  progress  of  cities  under  NCAP  and  disseminate  information  about  the programme  to  public.  Comprehensive  information  related  to  NCAP  such  as  programme details,  implementation  updates  by  city/state/national  level  agencies,  air  quality  data  and trends, support from multilateral organisations, reference documents, events, best practices and citizen's corner, etc., are available in public domain of PRANA.

Steering, Monitoring and Implementation committees have been constituted at central, state and city level for overseeing implementation of NCAP. Air Quality Managements (AQM) cells  have  been  constituted  in  ULBs  of  all  130  million  plus  and  non-attainment  cities  for ground level implementation of air quality management measures.

CPCB in association with all State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) has established Ambient Air Quality Network under National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) and Water Quality Monitoring Network under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP). Accordingly, the number of NAMP and NWMP stations operated in the State of Uttar Pradesh are 141 & 163 locations (urban & rural) respectively. The country has a total network of 1524 ambient air quality monitoring stations (558 continuous and 966 manual) covering 550 cities in 28 States &7 UTs and 4736 water quality monitoring locations in the country.

Polluted  stretch  of  14  Rivers  namely  Yamuna,Varuna,  Kali,  Hindan,  Gomti,  Ganga, Ramganga,Betwa, Ghaghra, Rapti, Saryu, Ami, Tamsa and Sai has been identified. Action Plans for control of water pollution has been implemented. Monitoring carried out at 109 points in 14 River. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) improved at 60 points out of total 109 points in the year 2023-2024 with respect to 2019-2020.

Further,  steps  taken  by  Govt.  to  improve  the  air  quality  in  the  country  are  enclosed  as Annexure- II .  The measures taken by the government for prevention and control of water pollution are given as Annexure -III.

***

Under NCAP:

## City Wise Fund Sanctioned & Utilization details under NCAP for FY 19-20,20-21, 21-22, 22-23, 23-24 & 24-25 as on 19.11.2024 as per PRANA (in Cr.)

|        | Fund Sanctioned/Received/ Released   | Fund Sanctioned/Received/ Released   | Fund Sanctioned/Received/ Released   | Fund Sanctioned/Received/ Released   | Fund Sanctioned/Received/ Released   | Fund Sanctioned/Received/ Released   | Fund Sanctioned/Received/ Released   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized      | Fund Utilized   |
|--------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|--------------------|-----------------|
| S.N o. | FY 19- 20                            | FY 20- 21                            | FY 21- 22                            | FY 22- 23                            | FY 23- 24                            | Total                                | Gra nd Tota l                        | F Y 19 - 20     | F Y 20 - 21     | FY 21- 22       | FY 22- 23       | FY 23- 24       | FY 24- 25       | Total              | Gra nd Tota     |
|        | 1                                    | 2                                    | 3                                    | 4                                    | 5                                    | 6=1+2+3+ 4+5                         |                                      | 7               | 8               | 9               | 10              | 11              | 12              | 13=7+8+9+10+ 11+12 | l               |
| 1      | 9.4 5                                |                                      |                                      |                                      |                                      | 9.45                                 |                                      | 3.1 2           | 3.5 7           |                 | 2.4 9           | 0.1 6           | 0.01            | 9.35               |                 |
| 2      | 9.4 5                                |                                      |                                      |                                      |                                      | 9.45                                 |                                      | 2.7 7           | 4.5 9           | 1.4 3           | 0.4 2           |                 | 0.24            | 9.45               |                 |
| 3      | 9.4 5                                |                                      |                                      |                                      |                                      | 9.45                                 |                                      |                 | 1.9 5 2.5 6     | 2.8 6           | 1.2 6           | 0.00            |                 | 8.63               |                 |
| 4      | 9.4 5                                |                                      |                                      |                                      |                                      | 9.45                                 | 397.                                 | 3               | 0.5 5.7 3       | 7               | 2.2 0.6 2       |                 | 0.04            | 9.19               |                 |
| 5      | 9.4 7                                |                                      |                                      |                                      |                                      | 9.47                                 | 397.                                 |                 | 1.5 0 4.1 9     | 3.3 9           | 0.2 1           | 0.24            |                 | 9.53               | 313. 60         |
| 6      | 0.2                                  | 1.9 0                                |                                      | 33. 20                               | 43. 79                               | 79.09                                | 14                                   |                 | 0.0 1           | 1.7 5           | 27. 66          | 31.4 8          |                 | 60.90              |                 |
| 7      | 0.2                                  | 1.9 0                                |                                      | 23. 03                               | 48. 22                               | 73.35                                | 397.                                 | 0.0 1           |                 | 1.9 1           | 24. 77          | 29.9 9          |                 | 56.68              |                 |
| 8      | 0.2                                  | 1.9 0                                |                                      | 18. 83                               | 26. 85                               | 47.78                                |                                      | 0.0 1           |                 | 1.6 5           | 21. 35          |                 | 17.1 7          | 40.18              |                 |
| 9      | 0.2                                  | 1.1 4                                |                                      | 5.7 0                                | 4.0 4                                | 11.08                                |                                      | 0.0 1           |                 | 1.0 9           | 5.6 5           |                 | 4.23            | 10.98              |                 |
| 10     | 0.1                                  | 1.9 0                                |                                      | 6.9 6                                | 9.4 1                                | 18.37                                |                                      | 0.0 1           |                 | 1.5 5           | 6.6             | 2               | 5.53            | 13.71              |                 |

|       |        |           | Fund Sanctioned/Received/ Released   | Fund Sanctioned/Received/ Released   | Fund Sanctioned/Received/ Released   | Fund Sanctioned/Received/ Released   | Fund Sanctioned/Received/ Released   | Fund Sanctioned/Received/ Released   | Fund Sanctioned/Received/ Released   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized       | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized      | Fund Utilized   |
|-------|--------|-----------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|---------------------|-----------------|--------------------|-----------------|
| State | S.N o. | Cities    | FY 19- 20                            | FY 20- 21                            | FY 21- 22                            | FY 22- 23                            | FY 23- 24                            | Total                                | Gra nd Tota l                        | F Y 19 - 20     | F Y 20 - 21     | FY 21- 22       | FY 22- 23 FY 23- 24 | FY 24- 25       | Total              | Gra nd Tota     |
|       | S.N o. | Cities    | 1                                    | 2                                    | 3                                    | 4                                    | 5                                    | 6=1+2+3+ 4+5                         |                                      | 7               | 8               | 9 10            | 11                  | 12              | 13=7+8+9+10+ 11+12 | l               |
|       | 11     | Anpara    | 0.1                                  | 1.1 4                                |                                      | 0.7 2                                | 0.4 5                                | 2.41                                 |                                      |                 | 0.0 1           |                 | 0.7 9 1.3 1         |                 | 2.11               |                 |
|       | 12     | Gajraula  | 0.1                                  | 1.1 4                                |                                      | 2.4 3                                | 0.7 4                                | 4.41                                 |                                      |                 | 0.0 1           |                 | 0.6 6 2.3 4         |                 | 3.01               |                 |
|       | 13     | Raebareli | 0.1                                  | 1.1 4                                |                                      | 5.8 8                                | 8.5 0                                | 15.62                                |                                      |                 | 0.0 1           |                 | 5.7 0 5.7 0         | 1.56            | 12.97              |                 |
|       | 14     | Gorakhpur |                                      |                                      | 9.6 4                                | 27. 87                               | 29. 36                               | 66.87                                |                                      |                 |                 |                 | 39. 00              | 24.4 7          | 63.47              |                 |
|       | 15     | Noida     |                                      |                                      | 6.6 7                                | 15. 28                               | 8.9 4                                | 30.89                                |                                      |                 |                 |                 | 1.4 3               | 2.01            | 3.44               |                 |
| Total | Total  | Total     | 48. 47                               | 12. 16                               | 16. 31                               | 139 .9                               | 180 .3                               | 397.14                               |                                      |                 | 9.9 5           | 20. 64          | 27. 54 138 .5       | 116. 97         | 313.60             |                 |

Under XVFC:

City-wise fund sanctioned and utilization details under XVFC from FY 2020-21 to FY 2023-24 (till date 19.11.24) as per PRANA (in Cr.)

|       |       |                           | Fund Released   | Fund Released   | Fund Released   | Fund Released   | Fund Released   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized   |
|-------|-------|---------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
|       | S. No | City                      | FY 20-21        | FY 21-22        | FY 22-23        | FY 23-24        | Grand Total     | Tota            | FY 20-21        | FY 21-22        | FY 22-23        | FY 23-24        | FY 24-25        | Total           | Tota l          |
|       |       |                           | 1               | 2               | 3               | 4               | 5=1+2+ 3+4      | Tota            | 6               | 7               | 8               | 9               | 10              | 11=6+7+8+ 9+10  | Tota l          |
|       | 1     | Agra UA                   | 90.00           | 11.25           | 65.22           | 108.97          | 275.44          | 1863. 89        | 0.00            | 34.86           | 32.17           | 80.98           | 19.71           | 167.71          | 1384. 45        |
|       | 2     | Allaha bad/ Prayag raj UA | 62.00           | 38.35           | 70.98           | 32.54           | 203.87          | 1863. 89        | 5.43            | 48.79           | 51.42           | 53.70           | 16.31           | 175.65          | 1384. 45        |
|       | 3     | Ghazia bad UA             | 121.00          | 15.25           |                 | 17.17           | 153.42          | 1863. 89        | 0.00            | 39.79           | 34.64           | 58.12           | 4.16            | 136.71          | 1384. 45        |
|       | 4     | Kanpur UA                 | 148.00          | 63.60           | 28.29           | 147.90          | 387.79          | 1863. 89        | 0.00            | 72.42           | 103.28          | 72.77           | 25.96           | 274.43          | 1384. 45        |
|       | 5     | Luckno w UA               | 148.00          | 25.18           | 203.20          | 16.99           | 393.37          | 1863. 89        | 0.00            | 98.06           | 57.46           | 117.01          | 61.88           | 334.41          | 1384. 45        |
|       | 6     | Meerut UA                 | 72.00           | 13.59           | 53.60           | 14.43           | 153.62          | 1863. 89        | 6.93            | 20.67           | 23.12           | 67.13           | 18.97           | 136.81          | 1384. 45        |
|       | 7     | Varana si UA              | 73.00           | 35.10           | 111.64          | 76.63           | 296.37          | 1863. 89        | 0.00            | 10.62           | 31.64           | 77.89           | 38.59           | 158.73          | 1384. 45        |
| Total | Total | Total                     | 714             | 202.32          | 532.93          | 414.63          | 1863.88         |                 | 12.36           | 325.21          | 333.73          | 527.6           | 185.58          | 1384.45         |                 |

## Steps for management of air quality in the country

## 1.0 National Clean Air Programme:

-  National Clean Air  Programme  (NCAP)  has been launched by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in January 2019 with an aim to improve air quality in 130 cities (non-attainment cities and Million Plus Cities) in 24 States by engaging all stakeholders.
-  NCAP envisages reduction by 20-30% in PM concentration over baseline in year 2017 by 2024. Target has been revised to achieve reduction in PM10 level up to 40% or achievement of national standards (60 µg/m3) by 2025-26.
-  City Action Plans (CAPs) have been prepared by all 130 cities and being implemented by Urban Local Bodies.
-  The city specific clean air action plans target city specific air polluting sources like Soil & Road Dust,  Vehicles,  Domestic  Fuel,  MSW  Burning,  Construction  Material  and Industries.
-  Performance  based  financial support is being provided to  these130 cities for implementation of activities of City Action Plan.
-  Further, funding for implementation of CAPs is being mobilised through convergence of  resources  from  various  schemes  of  Central  Government  such  as  Swachh  Bharat Mission  SBM  (Urban),  Atal  Mission  for  Rejuvenation  and  Urban  Transformation (AMRUT), Smart City Mission, Sustainable Alternative towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT), Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME-II), Nagar Van Yojna, etc. and resources from State/UT Governments and its agencies such as Municipal Corporation, Urban Development authorities and Industrial development authorities etc.
-  Public Grievance Redressal Portal (PGRP)/helpline have been developed by all 130 cities to address public complaints of air pollution in timely manner.
-  Emergency Response System (ERS/ GRAP) have been developed by all 130cities for taking action in air emergencies
-  95 cities out of 130 cities have shown improvement in air quality in terms of annual PM10 concentrations in FY 2023-24 with respect to levels of FY 2017-18.

## 2.0 Measures for control of vehicular emissions:

-  Leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards since 1st April, 2018 in NCT of Delhi and from 1st April, 2020 for the rest of the country.
-  Introduction of BS VI compliant vehicles across the country since April, 2020.
-  Installation  of  Vapour  Recovery  System  (VRS)  in  new  and  existing  petrol  pumps selling gasoline >100kl per month in million plus cities and those selling >300kl per month  in  cities  with  population  between  1  lakh  to  1  million  to  control  vehicular refuelling emissions.
-  Promotion  of  electric  vehicles  through  Electric  Mobility  Promotion  Scheme  2024 (EMPS 2024) scheme of Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India
-  Sustainable  Alternative  Towards  Affordable  Transportation  (SATAT)  has  been launched as an initiative to set up Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) production plants and make CBG available in the market for use in automotive fuels.

## Further, specific actions in case of NCR are given below:

-  Environment  Compensation  Charges  introduced  for  commercial  vehicles  entering Delhi in compliance of Hon'ble Supreme Court order
-  Operationalization  of  Eastern  and  Western  Peripheral  Expressways  to  divert  nondestined traffic from entering Delhi
-  Directions issued by CAQM to Government of NCT of Delhi and State Governments of  Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh for migration of public transport services, especially buses in NCR to cleaner modes. All state govt. bus services between Delhi and any city/town in the states of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to be operated only through EV /CNG/BS-VI diesel w.e.f. 01.11.2023.
-  Ban on 15-year-old petrol  and  10-year-old  diesel vehicles  as  per  Hon'ble  Supreme Court and Hon'ble NGT orders.
-  Installation of VRS system at 3256 petrol pumps in Delhi-NCR in compliance with orders of Hon'ble Supreme Court and Hon'ble NGT.

## 3.0 Measures for control of industrial emission:

-  For  strengthening  monitoring  mechanism  and  effective  compliance  through  selfregulatory mechanism, CPCB directed all 17 categories of highly polluting industries to install OCEMS. There are 4,315 units under 17 categories of industries, out of which 3,734 units have installed OCEMS and closure directions are still in-force for 581 units.
-  The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India notifies industry specific discharge standards under Schedule-I: 'Standards for Emission  or  Discharge  of  Environmental  Pollutants  from  various  Industries'  of Environment Protection Act, 1986. So far, industry specific environmental standards, for  79  industrial  sectors  (including  emission  standards  for  56  sectors)  have  been notified.  Industrial  sectors,  for  which  specific  standards  are  not  available,  general standards as notified under Schedule-VI of Environment Protection Rules, 1986 shall be applicable.
-  Ban on use of imported pet coke in the country since July 26, 2018, with exception for use in permitted processes.
-  CPCB has come out with System and Procedure for Emission Compliance Testing of Retro-fit Emission Control Devices (RECD) for Diesel Power Generating Set Engines up to Gross Mechanical Power 800 kW.

## Further, specific actions in case of NCR are given below:

-  Installation  of  Online  Continuous  Emission  Monitoring  System  (OCEMS)  in  red category air polluting industries in Delhi-NCR
-  Industrial  units  in  Delhi  have  shifted to  PNG/cleaner fuels  and, operational units  in NCR have shifted to PNG/Biomass.
-  Directions issued for conversion of brick kilns to zig-zag technology in Delhi and NCR. A total of 3003 out of 4608 brick kilns have converted to zig-zag technology including 1762 kilns in Haryana, 1024 kilns in U.P. and 217 kilns in Rajasthan. Brick kilns not converted to zig-zag technology are not permitted to operate.
-  In order to control DG set emissions, CPCB is also funding retrofitment/ upgradation of DG sets in Govt. hospitals in Delhi-NCR and guidelines have been issued in this regard.
-  Ban on use of pet coke and furnace oil as fuel in NCR States since October 24, 2017.
-  An approved fuel list is in force in Delhi-NCR w.e.f. 01.01.2023. Industries operating on only PNG or biomass are permitted in NCR, except for specific requirement of other fuels by specific industries owing to technical, technological and process requirements. Out of 7759 fuel based industries in NCR, 7449 have been shifted to approved fuels, with the balance 310 industries under closure.
-  Stringent  PM  emission  norms  for  biomass  based  boilers  have  been  prescribed  for compliance in NCR.

## 4.0 Measures for control of emissions from Stubble Burning in NCR:

-  MoA&FW in 2018 launched scheme for providing subsidy for purchase of crop residue management machinery and establishment of custom hiring centers (CHCs) in NCT of Delhi and the States of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Under the said scheme, financial assistance is provided to the farmers for purchase of crop residue management machinery and establishment of custom hiring centers. 50% subsidy on the cost of crop residue management machinery is provided to the individual farmers and 80% subsidy is  provided  for  establishment  of  Custom  Hiring  Centres  (CHCs)  of  crop  residue management  machinery.  During  2018-2024,  total  fund  released  to  Delhi  and  other states under the said scheme is Rs. 3398.56 crores using which, over 2.7 lakh crop residue machineries  have  been delivered to individual farmers and CHCs,  and  over 39,000 CHCs have been established. Further, MoA&FW in 2023 revised guidelines under the scheme to support establishment of crop residue/paddy straw supply chain, by  providing  financial  assistance  on  the  capital  cost  of  machinery  and  equipment required for Establishment of crop residue/paddy straw supply chain.
-  An Inter-Ministerial Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Special secretary, MoAFW for convergence of scheme for convergence of Schemes/Initiative supporting Ex-situ management of paddy straw.
-  CAQM has issued directions for co-firing of 5-10% biomass with coal in thermal power plants located within 300 kms of Delhi, and, in captive power plants of industrial units located in NCR.
-  Directions  issued  by  CAQM  to  State  governments  of  Punjab,  Haryana  and  Uttar Pradesh  to  strictly  and  effectively  implement  revised  action  plan  to  eliminate  and control stubble burning.
-  CPCB has framed guidelines for providing one-time financial assistance for setting up of paddy straw based pelletization and torrefaction plants which may help in addressing the supply chain issues and the issue of open burning of paddy straw in agriculture

fields in Northern Region. A corpus of Rs. 50 crores have been earmarked for utilization through  the  guidelines.  Under  this  scheme,  funds  have  been  released  to  10  plants (Mansa- 03, Patiala- 01, Hoshiarpur- 01, Amritsar- 01, Roopnagar-01, Bhatinda-01 in Punjab  and  Sirsa-  01,  Palwal-01  in  Haryana),  which  are  also  operational  with cumulative capacity of 40 TPH.

## 5.0 Air Quality Monitoring and Network

-  National  Air  Quality  Index  (AQI)  was  launched  in  2015.  Information  is  being disseminated to public through daily air quality bulletins.
-  Ambient Air Quality Network: The country has a network of 1524 ambient air quality monitoring stations (558 continuous and 966 manual) covering 550 cities in 28 states and 7 UTs.
-  A centralized air quality monitoring portal is operated by Central Pollution Control Board wherein, tracking of various information such as hourly PM concentrations, Live Air Quality Data of Monitoring stations and Live Air Quality Index is being carried out.
-  Daily AQI Bulletin is published on CPCB website giving AQI information for cities across India.

## 6.0 C&D Waste

-  CPCB published following guidelines (available on website of CPCB)
1. Environmental Management of Construction & Demolition (C & D) Wastes' in March, 2017
2. 'Guidelines on DUST Mitigation Measures in Handling Construction Material & C&D Wastes' in November 2017.
3. Disposal of legacy waste by bio-mining and bio-remediation to address open burning and landfill fires
-  CPCB has issued direction to all SPCBs/ PCCs for deployment of Anti-Smog Gun and implementation  of  adequate  dust  mitigation  measures  at  construction  projects/  sites having area more than 20,000 sq. meters. CPCB has issued guidelines/ mechanism for use of anti-smog guns in Construction and Demolition projects.

## Further, specific actions in case of Delhi-NCR are given below:

-  Directions issued to DPCC and NCR SPCBs to enforce installation of anti-smog guns and other dust control measures at C&D sites.
-  Directions  issued  for setting  up  of  a  'Dust  Control  and  Management  Cell' by  road owning/ maintaining/ construction agencies for monitoring and effective implementation of dust control measures in the NCR.
-  Online  monitoring  mechanism  (through  web  portal)  introduced  for  monitoring compliance of dust mitigation measures for construction sites.

## 7.0 Technical Interventions in NCR

-  Trial  study  of  various  new  technologies  for  control  of  air  pollution  have  been  got conducted by CPCB out of which encouraging results were observed in case of Dust Suppressant for control of emissions at construction sites and road dust. Advisory have been issued for use of dust suppressant by road owning and construction agencies in Delhi-NCR.

## 8.0 Close Monitoring & Ground level implementation in NCR

-  40 teams have been deputed by CPCB since December 2021, to assist CAQM, for conducting incognito  inspections  of  air  polluting  industries,  C&D  sites,  DG  sets  in Delhi-NCR  to  check  implementation  status  of  pollution  control  measures  and compliance of other provisions of the Air (P&CP) Act,1981. A total of 18976 units/ entities/ projects have been inspected as on Nov 08, 2024. Based on these inspections, CAQM has issued Closure Directions in 1122 cases and out of these resumption orders have been issued in 862 cases while 166 cases are still under closure and cases of 94 balance units have been transferred to SPCBs / DPCC for final decision.
-  During stubble burning season of 2023 (10.11.23 onwards), 33 scientists of CPCB were deployed  as  flying  squads  for  assisting  CAQM  in  NCR  and  adjoining  areas  for intensifying monitoring and enforcement actions towards prevention of paddy stubble burning  incidents  in  22  districts  of  Punjab  and  11  districts  of  Haryana.  The  flying squads coordinated with state govt/nodal officers//officers from respective districts and sent their daily report to CAQM.
-  This year also 26 teams have been deputed from October 01, 2024 to November 30, 2024 for intensified monitoring and enforcement actions regarding stubble burning. Out of 26 teams, 16 teams have been deputed in Punjab and remaining 10 have been deputed in Haryana.

## 9.0 Regular Stakeholder Consultation, Public & Media Outreach

-  CPCB has developed a mobile app i.e. SAMEER, where Real-time Ambient air quality data of various parameters including AQI is also given. Sameer app also facilitates the public in lodging of air pollution related complaints in NCR region and such complaints are assigned to various local agencies.
-  Dedicated media corner, Twitter and Facebook accounts have also been created for public outreach.
-  Complaint redressal on SAMEER app and social media platforms is monitored and redressal status is shared with respective agencies.
-  Daily AQI status is shared on social media platforms. Various campaigns as well as informative  posts  related  to  air  pollution,  firecrackers,  vehicular  pollution,  stubble burning, sustainable lifestyle, etc. are also posted regularly on social media platforms.
-  CPCB issues a daily report comprising of AQI of Delhi and NCR towns, comparative AQI status, year-wise trends of PM concentration, hotspots for the day, AFE counts, contribution of stubble burning  and meteorological forecast. This report is prepared based on the inputs available from various sources such as IMD, SAFAR, IARI, etc., and disseminated through CPCB website.

## 10.0 Regulatory Actions in NCR

-  Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was formulated for Delhi-NCR to tackle the issue of sudden rise in air pollution levels which was notified by MoEF&CC in January 2017 on recommendation of CPCB for implementation. A comprehensive review of actions listed under GRAP was carried out by CPCB in 2020 based on actions taken and improvement observed in air quality in recent years. Based on the inputs given by CPCB, the revised GRAP was published by Commission for Air Quality Management in  NCR  and  adjoining  areas  (CAQM)  and  further  directions  were  issued  for  its implementation. Actions listed for different AQI levels under GRAP are invoked from time to time by a sub-committee constituted by CAQM, having CPCB as a member.
-  For air pollution abatement and control in Delhi / NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas has devised a comprehensive policy for air pollution  abatement  in  NCR  in  July  2022,  stipulating  sector-specific  action  points quantifying targets along with timelines and implementation plan by various agencies in  NCR  States.  The  policy  framework  details  sector-wise  interventions,  quantified targets and timelines for various sectors contributing to air pollution.
-  Directions prescribing measures for control of pollution from various sources such as implementation of RECD system/ dual fuel kits in DG sets, use of cleaner fuels in industries, shift to EV/ CNG/ BS VI diesel fuel in transport sector, implementation of dust control measures at C&D sites etc., have been issued by CAQM, wherein CPCB is also a member and provides technical inputs to CAQM. Further, policy to curb air pollution in NCR has also been formulated.

The measures taken by the government for prevention and control of water pollution are given below-

-  Govt. of India enacted The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and various  provisions  under  The  Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986  for  protection  of water bodies and The Central & State Pollution Control Boards are implementing the provisions of both The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 & The Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986  to  prevent  and  control  pollution  of  aquatic resources.
-  SPCBs/PCCs have been directed under Section 18(1) (b) of The Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 to direct concerned agencies in the State/UT to develop infrastructure for sewage treatment.
-  Government  of  India  stipulated  General  discharge  standards  and  industry  specific effluent discharge standards under Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 with an aim to prevent pollution in the water bodies.
-  'Indicative Guidelines for restoration of water bodies' have been issued by CPCB as a guidance to the Stakeholders for ensuring restoration/ rejuvenation of water bodies.
-  Revised Guidelines on Idol Immersion in Water Bodies 'are being implemented in the country with effect from January 01st, 2021.
-  CPCB  also  organized  one-day  workshop  on  'Restoration  of  Water  Bodies'  on 30.01.2020 for stakeholders with aim to facilitate preparation and execution of action plans for restoration of water bodies and for ensuring compliance to Hon'ble National Green Tribunal (NGT).
-  CPCB vide letter dated 17.02.2023 requested all the SPCBs/PCCs to ensure necessary action  to  prevent,  control/abate  pollution  of  stagnant  water  bodies  in  respective States/UTs as per provisions of Section 17.1. (a) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
-  CPCB has  directed  all  17  categories  of  high  pollution  potential  industries,  Grossly Polluting Industries of Ganga basin and common waste treatment facilities to install Online Continuous Effluent/ Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) for strengthening monitoring mechanism and effective compliance through self-regulatory mechanism and constant vigil on pollution levels. Real-time values of environmental pollutants of trade effluent and emissions generated through OCEMS are transmitted online to CPCB and concerned SPCB/PCC on 24x7 basis. Central software processes the data and in case of value of pollutant parameter exceeds prescribed environmental norms,  an  automatic  SMS  alert  is  generated  and  sent  to  industrial  unit,  SPCB  and CPCB, so that corrective measures can be taken by the industry immediately to ensure regular compliance and to prevent various actions including closure (mainly in case which likely to have grave injury to the environment).

Further, the steps taken by CPCB to curb pollution in river Ganga and its tributaries are as follows:

-  Annual inspection of grossly polluting industries (GPIs) operating in the Ganga main stem states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal has been carried out under the Namami Gange Programme since 2017. Year 2020 onwards, GPIs operating in  the  Yamuna main stem  states of Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi  &  Uttar Pradesh were also included for annual inspection.
-  Industry-specific  discharge  standards  for  various  types  of industrial  categories  have been  notified  under  the  Environment  (Protection)  Rules,  1986.  The  industries  are required to  provide adequate treatment to the effluent through an effluent treatment plant (ETP) so as to meet the notified effluent discharge standards. Defaulting industries are issued appropriate directions, including show-cause notices and closure directions.
-  The physical  verification,  sealing  and  power  disconnection  of  non-complying  GPIs which are issued closure directions are enforced through District Magistrates.
-  Charter, which is a voluntary program of upgradation of process technology and ETP system,  were  implemented  in  major  industrial  sectors  like  Pulp  &  Paper,  Sugar, Distillery,  Textile  and  Tannery  resulting  in  reduction  in  fresh  water  consumption, wastewater discharge & pollution load and improvement in compliance.
-  Monitoring  of  716  drains  discharging  into  river  Ganga  and  its  Tributaries  namely Banganga, Ramganga, Kali-East, Pandu, Yamuna, Moorva/Varuna, Jargo/Ojhala and others is being carried out on a half-yearly basis (Pre-monsoon & Post monsoon).
-  Monitoring of 147 sewage treatment plants (STPs) in river Ganga-front towns in the Ganga main stem states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh,  Bihar,  Jharkhand  and  West Bengal is being carried out on a tri-annual basis.
-  Manual water quality monitoring of river Ganga at 112 locations in five States viz. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal is being undertaken on a fortnightly basis in association with the concerned SPCBs.
-  CPCB has prepared action plans for rejuvenation/restoration of water quality of six rivers  namely  (i)  river  Kali-East  during  2019  (ii)  rivers  Varuna,  Assi,  Morwa  & Basuhi during 2021 and (iii) river Hindon & its tributaries  (Dhamola, Kali-West  & Krishni) during 2023.