Lok Sabha Question No. 58 (STARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: Effectiveness of Air Purifiers
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Nayab Singh, Sanjay Bhatia

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 58

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2023

## Effectiveness of Air Purifiers

## *58. SHRI NAYAB SINGH: SHRI SANJAY BHATIA:

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

- (a) the  details  of  the  effectiveness  of  the  air  purifiers  in  reducing  air  pollution  in  major metropolitan areas;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  cover  Kurukshetra  and  Panipat  in  its  pollution abatement efforts in view of the serious air pollution and related health issues faced by the people of Kurukshetra and Panipat in Haryana State;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to set up plant for improving air quality particularly in Kurukshetra and Panipat; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)

- (a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARAS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  58  DUE  FOR  REPLY  ON  24.07.2023  REGARDING 'EFFECTIVENESS  OF  AIR  PURIFIERS'  RAISED  BY  SHRI  NAYAB  SINGH,  SHRI SANJAY BHATIA, HON'BLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

(a) to (d)

Two  experimental  pilot  projects  of  smog  towers,  one  at  Anand  Vihar  and  another  at Connaught Place have been commissioned by Central Government on 31st August, 2021 and by  Delhi  Government  on  1st  October,  2021  respectively.  The  purpose  of  this  Research  & Development  pilot  project  is  to  evaluate  the  performance  efficiency  of  such  outdoor  air cleaning systems (Smog Tower).

Total duration of this project is 2 years and 10 months from the Zero date of signing of the MoU. The teams from IIT-Bombay and IIT-Delhi have started performance evaluation study of smog towers at both sites under various operating scenarios.

Since  inception,  the  Commission  for  Air  Quality  Management in  National  Capital  Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has been rigorously taking up the issue of air pollution in  NCR and adjoining areas. Important policy initiatives and measures have been identified with respect to the major sectors contributing to air pollution in this region through various directions / orders and advisories issued from time to time, with a view to abate pollution and improve Air Quality in the entire region including Kurukshetra and Panipat.

Further,  Government  has  launched  National  Clean  Air  Programme  (NCAP)  in  2019  as  a national level strategy to reduce air pollution levels across the country. Taking into account the available international experiences and national studies, the tentative national level target under NCAP is 20%-30% reduction of Particulate matter concentration by 2024.

Under NCAP, CPCB has identified 131 cities (including 123 non-attainment cities exceeding National  Ambient  Air  Quality  Standards  (NAAQS),  which  were  notified  to  protect  human health) including Faridabad city of Haryana. City Specific Clean Air Action Plans have been prepared and rolled out for implementation in these 131 non-attainment/million plus cities to improve the air quality. These plans target city specific air polluting sources like Soil & Road Dust,  Vehicles,  Domestic  Fuel,  MSW  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.

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