Lok Sabha Question No. 2525 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Air Pollution near Mining Areas
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2525

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

## Air Pollution near Mining Areas

## 2525.  SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken steps to reduce the level of pollution in the cities located near source of mining activities;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any programme with cooperation of the State Governments to control the air pollution is likely to be proposed by the Government; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was 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 MillionPlus Cities in 24 States/UTs through implementation of National, State and City level clean air action plans. Performance linked grant of ₹ 13,036.52 crore has been provided to 130 cities as a critical gap funding to implement air pollution mitigation measures, during 2019-20 till date.

Several  cities  under  NCAP,  such  as  Dhanbad,  Jamshedpur,  Ranchi,  Korba,  Raipur,  Angul, Talcher,  Rourkela,  Chandrapur,  etc.  are  associated  with  significant  mining  activities.  These cities have accordingly prepared city specific Clean Air Action Plans to mitigate air pollution arising from mining activities.

MoEFCC Regional Offices  monitor the pollution control  measures  implemented  by mining activities to verify the compliance of conditions specified under Environment Clearance granted under Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.

Further, concerned State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees monitor the pollution control measures undertaken by mining operations through the Consent Mechanism under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

In  addition,  all  17  categories  of  high  pollution  potential  industries  (including  industries associated with mining operations) have been directed 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.

The  Government  has  made  it  mandatory  to  obtain  Environmental  Clearance  (EC)  before commencement  of  Coal  Mining,  Sponge Iron Plant and Steel Plant  under  the  Environment Impact  Assessment  Notification,  2006  from  Ministry  of Environment,  Forest and  Climate Change (MoEFCC)/ State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).

MoEFCC has prescribed air quality standards for coal mines and iron ore mining industries under  the  Environment  (Protection)  Rules,  1986.  Further,  Guidelines  for  coal  handling  and crushing plant have been issued for preventing and controlling air pollution from handling of coal and raw materials. These standards are implemented by mining industries and enforced by concerned State Pollution Control Boards.

Three industrial polluted areas including mining activities have been identified in Odisha. An action plan for abatement of pollution in this area have been prepared by SPCB, Odisha , which also covers air quality measures in cities and town located in such industrial area.

In  Maharashtra,  to  control  air  pollution  caused  by  coal  mines  near  Chandrapur  city,  water sprinklers  have  been  installed  and  are  operated  regularly  along  roadsides,  at  coal  handling facilities, and within mining areas.

In  Jharkhand,  Dhanbad Nagar Nigam has intensified regulatory oversight on  mining  unit to ensure adherence of environmental standards. In this regard, advisories have been issued by Jharkhand  State  Pollution  Control  Board  and  consultative  meetings  were  held  with  mining industries  to  promote  awareness  and  accountability  to  ensure  compliance  with  air  pollution control  norms.  Regular  water  sprinkling  and  mechanical  sweeping  activities  have  been undertaken to control  pollution from road dust. Further, paving  and black  topping  of roads, greening of open areas and vertical gardens have been developed in Dhandbad city.

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