Lok Sabha Question No. 72 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Air Pollution in Metro Cities
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. Bhola Singh

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 72

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## Air Pollution in Metro Cities

## 72. DR. BHOLA SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the pollution levels are increasing day-by-day creating alarming situation in the country particularly in Delhi NCR;
- (b) if  so,  the  reaction  of  the  Government  thereto  including  preventive  steps  being  taken  in anticipation especially in the winters;
- (c) the  details  of  the  present  status  of  pollution  levels  including  the  most  polluted  and  the least polluted State in the country;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  engage  expert  panel  for  controlling  the  air pollution in the metro cities of country including Delhi NCR, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the  details  of  the  funds  allocated  and  spent  during  the  last  three  years,  under  National Clean Air Programme, State-wise and year-wise; and
- (f) the  steps  taken  by  Government  to  contain  air  pollution  in  the  country  including  Delhi NCR?

## ANSWER

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

## (a) and (b):

Air  pollution  in  Delhi  -  NCR  is  a  collective  result  of  multiple  factors  including  high  level  of anthropogenic activities in the high-density populated areas in NCR, arising from various sectors viz.  Vehicular  Pollution,  Industrial  Pollution,  Dust  from  Construction  and  Demolition  Project activities, Road and Open Areas Dust, Biomass Burning, Municipal Solid Waste burning, Fires in Landfills, air pollution from dispersed sources, etc.

•

Comparative status of AQI - Delhi from 01 January to 31 December 2016-2023

Category

Good (0-50)

Satisfactory (51-

100)

Moderate (101-

200)

Poor (201-300)

Very Poor (301-

400)

Severe (>401)

2023  has  recorded  the  highest  number  of  days  in  Good-Moderate  Air  Quality  Index  (AQI) categories since 2016, except for 2020 (COVID year).

354

365

365 365

366

365

365

365

| 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   | 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   | 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   | 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   | 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   | 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   | 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   | 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   | 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   | 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   | 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   | 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   | 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   | 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   | 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   | 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   | 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   | 0 2 0 2 4 1 3 1   |
|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
|                   | 45 53 105         | 59 121            | 96 127            | 72 124            | 65 95             | 60 145            | 110               | 153               | 158               |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |
|                   | 106 114 89 113    | 103 56            | 75 49             | 80 64             | 130 66            | 77 67             | 244               | 212               | 207               |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |
| 99 74             | 99 74             |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |
| 25 9 20           | 25 9 20           | 24                | 15                | 24                | 6                 | 15                |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |                   |

Following a similar trend, average PM2.5 and PM10 concentration has decreased since 2016. The comparative PM2.5 and PM10 concentration and % reduction is depicted below:

|     | PM 2.5                                 | PM 2.5                 | PM 10                                  | PM 10                       |
|-----|----------------------------------------|------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|     | Average annual concentration (µg/m 3 ) | Change w.r.t. 2016 (%) | Average annual concentration (µg/m 3 ) | Year Change w.r.t. 2016 (%) |
| 135 | -                                      | 290                    | -                                      | 2016                        |
| 124 | -8%                                    | 258                    | -11%                                   | 2017                        |
| 114 | -16%                                   | 242                    | -17%                                   | 2018                        |
| 108 | -20%                                   | 217                    | -25%                                   | 2019                        |
| 95  | -30%                                   | 181                    | -38%                                   | 2020                        |
| 105 | -22%                                   | 211                    | -27%                                   | 2021                        |
| 98  | -28%                                   | 211                    | -27%                                   | 2022                        |
| 100 |                                        | -26%                   | 205                                    | 2023 -29%                   |

During winter months, the lower temperature, lower mixing heights, inversion conditions and calm winds lead to trapping of the pollutants in the atmosphere resulting in high pollution in the region. Therefore, deterioration of 'Air Quality Index' is observed in Delhi NCR region, generally, during winter months. To address the deterioration of air quality, actions under 'Graded Response Action Plan' are also imposed based on AQI.

Besides, statutory directions have been issued to the Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi on 12.04.2024 for 'Implementation and review of the updated/revised plan of action for prevention and control of stubble burning in 2024'.

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare in 2018 launched scheme for providing subsidy for purchase of crop residue management machinery and establishment of Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) in NCT of Delhi and the States of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. During 20182024, 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. 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.

Central Pollution control Board (CPCB) has framed guidelines for promoting setting up of paddy straw based palletization and Torre faction plants which may help in addressing the supply chain issues.  Scheme  will  address  the  issue  of  open  burning  of  paddy  straw  in  agriculture  fields  in Northern Region. 15 plants sanctioned (13 in Punjab, 01 in UP and 01 in Haryana) at cost of Rs. 14.15 crore so far with total annual paddy straw utilization potential of 2.74 lakh tonne.

Commission on Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has also been closely monitoring the mandatory co-firing of stubble/ biomass/ biomass based pellets (an ex-situ tool  for  management  of  stubble)  in  Thermal  Power  Plants  (TPPs)  located  within  300  Km  of Delhi  and  in  coal  based  captive  TPPs  of  NCR.  A  High-level  team  comprising  members  from CAQM, CEA, MoP/SAMARTH also visited/ inspected the TPPs for review of ground situation in this regard.

Further, the Government from time to time has taken up the issue of firecracker bursting with the concerned NCR state Govts and GNCTD and asked to take adequate measures to ensure strict compliances of restrictions/ ban orders passed by Hon'ble Supreme Court/ NGT and State/ UT Governments, as the case may be, in this regard.

## (c):

The Air Quality Index indicator in terms of Good Days and Bad Days in 2023 has been analyzed. The 10 cities in 5 States with highest percentage of bad days during 2023 are given at Annexure - I . There were 40 cities in 14 states in 2023 which had no bad days list enclosed at AnnexureII .

Cities / States are not ranked on the basis of air pollution. However, CPCB has identified Nonattainment  cities  (NAC)  based  on  ambient  air  quality  data  exceeding  National  Ambient  Air Quality Standards with respect to any one of the notified parameters consecutively for five years.

## (d):

With a view to abatement and control of air pollution in Delhi / NCR, A Commission on Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM ) has been constituted by enactment of  an  Act  by  Parliament  for  better  co-ordination,  research,  identification  and  resolution  of problems  surrounding  the  air  quality  index  and  for  matters  connected  therewith  or  incidental thereto.

## (e):

The details of State and year-wise fund allocation, release and utilization during the last three years under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) has been enclosed as Annexure III .

## (f):

Steps taken by the Government for air pollution abatement in the country including Delhi NCR is provided in Annexure IV .

***

## List of cities with highest percentage of bad days in 2023

## Annexure-I

| State/U Ts    | S l. N o   | City            | Goo d   | Satisf actor y (51-   | Mode rate (101-   | Poor       | Very Poor (301 -   | Sever e (>400 )   | Good Days   | Bad Day s   | Total No. of days   | %of bad days   |
|---------------|------------|-----------------|---------|-----------------------|-------------------|------------|--------------------|-------------------|-------------|-------------|---------------------|----------------|
| State/U Ts    | S l. N o   | City            | (0- 50) | 100)                  | 200)              | (201- 300) | 400)               |                   |             |             |                     |                |
| Assam         | 1.         | Byrnihat- Assam | 1       | 18                    | 71                | 103        | 74                 | 10                | 90          | 187         | 277                 | 67.51          |
| Bihar         | 2.         | Begusarai       | 1       | 13                    | 53                | 62         | 57                 | 30                | 67          | 149         | 216                 | 68.98          |
| Bihar         | 3.         | Chhapra         | 4       | 71                    | 78                | 93         | 71                 | 7                 | 153         | 171         | 324                 | 52.78          |
| Bihar         | 4.         | Darbhang a      | 0       | 0                     | 0                 | 1          | 9                  | 4                 | 0           | 14          | 14                  | 100.00         |
| Bihar         | 5.         | Saharsa         | 19      | 65                    | 85                | 69         | 66                 | 7                 | 169         | 142         | 311                 | 45.66          |
| Odisha        | 6.         | Angul           | 0       | 3                     | 17                | 28         | 16                 | 0                 | 20          | 44          | 64                  | 68.75          |
| Odisha        | 7.         | Bhubanes war    | 0       | 13                    | 16                | 34         | 2                  | 0                 | 29          | 36          | 65                  | 55.38          |
| Odisha        | 8.         | Cuttack         | 1       | 11                    | 11                | 33         | 5                  | 0                 | 23          | 38          | 61                  | 62.30          |
| Uttar Pradesh | 9.         | Greater Noida   | 3       | 36                    | 148               | 113        | 52                 | 13                | 187         | 178         | 365                 | 48.77          |
| West Bengal   | 10.        | Barrackpo re    | 1       | 1                     | 7                 | 17         | 2                  | 0                 | 9           | 19          | 28                  | 67.86          |

## Annexure-II

| State/UTs         | Sl . N o.   | City                | Go od   | Satisfac tory   | Mode rate   | Po or        | Ve ry Po or   | Sev ere   | Go od Da ys   | Ba d Da ys   | Tot al No. of da ys   |
|-------------------|-------------|---------------------|---------|-----------------|-------------|--------------|---------------|-----------|---------------|--------------|-----------------------|
| State/UTs         | Sl . N o.   | City                | (0- 50) | (51- 100)       | (101- 200)  | (20 1- 300 ) | (30 1- 400 )  | (>4 00)   |               |              |                       |
| Andhra Pradesh    | 1.          | Anantpur            | 105     | 174             | 30          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 309           | 0            | 309                   |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 2.          | Naharlagun          | 118     | 51              | 0           | 0            | 0             | 0         | 169           | 0            | 169                   |
| Assam             | 3.          | Silchar             | 269     | 71              | 0           | 0            | 0             | 0         | 340           | 0            | 340                   |
| Assam             | 4.          | Sivasagar           | 250     | 98              | 0           | 0            | 0             | 0         | 348           | 0            | 348                   |
| Chhattisgar h     | 5.          | Milupara            | 68      | 143             | 4           | 0            | 0             | 0         | 215           | 0            | 215                   |
| Chhattisgar h     | 6.          | Raipur              | 62      | 192             | 108         | 0            | 0             | 0         | 362           | 0            | 362                   |
| Karnataka         | 7.          | Bagalkot            | 300     | 48              | 0           | 0            | 0             | 0         | 348           | 0            | 348                   |
| Karnataka         | 8.          | Bengaluru           | 69      | 259             | 37          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 365           | 0            | 365                   |
| Karnataka         | 9.          | Chamarajana gar     | 349     | 11              | 0           | 0            | 0             | 0         | 360           | 0            | 360                   |
| Karnataka         | 10.         | Chikkaballap ur     | 144     | 136             | 66          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 346           | 0            | 346                   |
| Karnataka         | 11.         | Chikkamagal uru     | 182     | 120             | 2           | 0            | 0             | 0         | 304           | 0            | 304                   |
| Karnataka         | 12.         | Dharwad             | 40      | 153             | 27          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 220           | 0            | 220                   |
| Karnataka         | 13.         | Hassan              | 46      | 181             | 10          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 237           | 0            | 237                   |
| Karnataka         | 14.         | Hubballi            | 38      | 201             | 114         | 0            | 0             | 0         | 353           | 0            | 353                   |
| Karnataka         | 15.         | Kolar               | 53      | 69              | 66          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 188           | 0            | 188                   |
| Karnataka         | 16.         | Madikeri            | 293     | 46              | 1           | 0            | 0             | 0         | 340           | 0            | 340                   |
| Karnataka         | 17.         | Mysuru              | 138     | 216             | 0           | 0            | 0             | 0         | 354           | 0            | 354                   |
| Karnataka         | 18.         | Ramanagara          | 122     | 211             | 19          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 352           | 0            | 352                   |
| Karnataka         | 19.         | Shivamogga          | 111     | 242             | 1           | 0            | 0             | 0         | 354           | 0            | 354                   |
| Karnataka         | 20.         | Udupi               | 10      | 83              | 34          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 127           | 0            | 127                   |
| Karnataka         | 21.         | Vijayapura          | 292     | 57              | 1           | 0            | 0             | 0         | 350           | 0            | 350                   |
| Kerala            | 22.         | Eloor               | 40      | 174             | 0           | 0            | 0             | 0         | 214           | 0            | 214                   |
| Kerala            | 23.         | Kannur              | 0       | 265             | 5           | 0            | 0             | 0         | 270           | 0            | 270                   |
| Kerala            | 24.         | Kozhikode           | 0       | 61              | 1           | 0            | 0             | 0         | 62            | 0            | 62                    |
| Kerala            | 25.         | Thiruvananth apuram | 242     | 106             | 13          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 361           | 0            | 361                   |
| Kerala            | 26.         | Thrissur            | 28      | 211             | 75          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 314           | 0            | 314                   |

| State/UTs      | Sl . N o.   | City             | Go od   | Satisfac tory   | Mode rate   | Po or        | Ve ry Po or   | Sev ere   | Go od Da ys   | Ba d Da ys   | Tot al No. of da ys   |
|----------------|-------------|------------------|---------|-----------------|-------------|--------------|---------------|-----------|---------------|--------------|-----------------------|
| State/UTs      | Sl . N o.   | City             | (0- 50) | (51- 100)       | (101- 200)  | (20 1- 300 ) | (30 1- 400 )  | (>4 00)   |               |              |                       |
| Madhya Pradesh | 27.         | Damoh            | 222     | 91              | 5           | 0            | 0             | 0         | 318           | 0            | 318                   |
| Madhya Pradesh | 28.         | Maihar           | 188     | 97              | 19          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 304           | 0            | 304                   |
| Maharashtr a   | 29.         | Ahmednagar       | 25      | 54              | 68          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 147           | 0            | 147                   |
| Mizoram        | 30.         | Aizawl           | 170     | 75              | 31          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 276           | 0            | 276                   |
| Odisha         | 31.         | Brajrajnagar     | 31      | 117             | 54          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 202           | 0            | 202                   |
| Tamil Nadu     | 32.         | Ariyalur         | 158     | 112             | 26          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 296           | 0            | 296                   |
| Tamil Nadu     | 33.         | Ooty             | 132     | 139             | 21          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 292           | 0            | 292                   |
| Tamil Nadu     | 34.         | Palkalaiperur    | 49      | 125             | 1           | 0            | 0             | 0         | 175           | 0            | 175                   |
| Tamil Nadu     | 35.         | Salem            | 37      | 124             | 25          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 186           | 0            | 186                   |
| Tamil Nadu     | 36.         | Tiruchirappal li | 1       | 4               | 1           | 0            | 0             | 0         | 6             | 0            | 6                     |
| Tamil Nadu     | 37.         | Tirupur          | 94      | 118             | 13          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 225           | 0            | 225                   |
| Telangana      | 38.         | Hyderabad        | 5       | 283             | 77          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 365           | 0            | 365                   |
| Uttar Pradesh  | 39.         | Varanasi         | 130     | 208             | 27          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 365           | 0            | 365                   |
| Uttarakhan d   | 40.         | Rishikesh        | 160     | 132             | 11          | 0            | 0             | 0         | 303           | 0            | 303                   |

## Annexure - III

## Details of State and year-wise allocation, release  and utilisation during the  last three years under the National Clean Air Programme

(Amount in Crore)

|         |                  | Fund Allocated   | Fund Allocated   | Fund Allocated   | Fund Released   | Fund Released   | Fund Released   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized   | Fund Utilized   |
|---------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
| S. NO . | State            | FY 21-22         | FY 22- 23        | FY 23- 24        | FY2 1-22        | FY 22- 23       | FY 23- 24       | FY 21- 22       | FY 22- 23       | FY 23-24        |
| 1       | Andhra Pradesh   | 11.48            | 33.64            | 55.35            | 11.4 8          | 22.56           | 49.81           | 6.27            | 11.25           | 44              |
| 2       | Chandigar h      | 4.61             | 10.24            | 8.94             | 4.61            | 6.87            | 8.05            | 2.53            | 2.78            | 15.79           |
| 3       | Chhattisga rh    | 0                | 2.16             | 1.88             | 0               | 1.94            | 1.69            | 6.68            | 1.83            | 3.51            |
| 4       | Gujarat          | 0                | 0                | 0                | 0               |                 | 0               | 6.61            | 0               | 0               |
| 5       | Himachal Pradesh | 0.48             | 3.99             | 3.54             | 0.48            | 3.59            | 3.19            | 7.39            | 1.71            | 4.21            |
| 6       | Jammu& Kashmir   | 12.84            | 44.83            | 60.86            | 12.8 4          | 32.5            | 62.49           | 10.96           | 23.34           | 0               |
| 7       | Jharkhand        | 0                | 0                | 0                | 0               |                 | 0               | 0.42            | 0.13            | 2.21            |
| 8       | Karnataka        | 7.32             | 29.48            | 30.58            | 7.32            | 19.77           | 27.51           | 1.19            | 2.56            | 8.02            |
| 9       | Madhya Pradesh   | 5                | 13.46            | 25.72            | 5               | 9.75            | 26.41           | 8.13            | 4.8             | 8.18            |
| 10      | Maharasht ra     | 11.9             | 73.15            | 77.88            | 11.9            | 65.83           | 70.08           | 27.48           | 16.47           | 61.29           |
| 11      | Odisha           | 3.64             | 42.81            | 22.47            | 3.64            | 38.52           | 20.22           | 3.32            | 20.28           | 34.67           |
| 12      | Punjab           | 0                | 24.04            | 59.49            | 0               | 21.63           | 53.54           | 4.11            | 4.28            | 25.11           |
| 13      | Rajasthan        | 0                | 20.29            | 16.76            | 0               | 18.26           | 17.21           | 11.15           | 3.32            | 13.8            |
| 14      | Tamilnadu        | 0                | 4.59             | 6.05             | 0               | 4.13            | 6.22            | 0.59            | 4.68            | 3.31            |
| 15      | Telangana        | 0.79             | 2.01             | 4.48             | 0.79            | 1.46            | 4.03            | 9.66            | 0.97            | 1.98            |
| 16      | Uttar Pradesh    | 16.31            | 194.3 9          | 200.3 4          | 16.3 1          | 139.9           | 180.3           | 20.64           | 21.94           | 138.94          |
| 17      | Uttarakhan d     | 5.67             | 24.78            | 32.42            | 5.67            | 22.3            | 29.19           | 3.14            | 4.5             | 20.3            |
| 18      | Bihar            | 4.4              | 9.78             | 10.54            | 4.4             | 7.09            | 10.82           | 6.87            | 3.26            | 12.31           |
| 19      | Assam            | 0                | 23.56            | 19.6             | 0               | 24.1            | 34.2            | 1.26            | 10.18           | 16.84           |
| 20      | Nagaland         | 0.93             | 3.72             | 6                | 0.93            | 3.95            | 9               | 1.39            | 1.38            | 3.75            |
| 21      | Meghalaya        | 0                | 0.5              | 3                | 0               | 0.45            | 4.5             | 1.89            | 2.3             | 0.77            |
| 22      | Delhi            | 11.25            | 25.01            | 9.95             | 11.2 5          | 22.5            | 8.94            | 0               | 7.55            | 5.05            |
| 23      | West Benagal     | 0                | 10.19            | 44.15            | 0               | 9.17            | 39.74           | 3.96            | 9.78            | 6.88            |
|         | Total            | 96.62            | 596.6 2          | 700              | 96.6 2          | 476.2 7         | 667.1 4         | 145.6 4         | 159.2 9         | 430.92          |

## Annexure IV

## Steps taken by the Government for air pollution abatement in the country including Delhi NCR

1. Monitoring  and  enforcement  of  regulated  use  of  DG  sets  in  Delhi-NCR,  only  with  stipulated emission control devices/systems, as per CAQM's Direction No. 76 dated 29.09.2023 read with addendum dated 22.02.2024.Constant vigil on use of only approved fuels in Delhi-NCR across all  sectors,  including  monitoring  &  enforcement  of  compliance  of  emission  norms  through inspections and monitoring by CPCB and NCR State PCBs/ DPCC.
2. Availability of PNG connectivity in all the 240 industrial areas in NCR. Presently, 217 industrial areas  have  PNG connectivity. The Commission in association with MoPNG regularly reviews the  progress  in  PNG  infrastructure/supply  in  the  remaining  23  industrial  areas,  which  is  also likely to be completed by end of 2024.
3. Implementation of CAQM's Direction No. 78 dated 19.10.2023for migration of public transport services especially intercity bus services, to Delhi-NCR, to cleaner modes.
4. Completely  phasing  out  diesel  auto-rickshaws  from  the  districts  of  Faridabad,  Gurugram, Ghaziabad and GB Nagar latest by 31.12.2024 and to ensure plying of only CNG/ E-Auto in such areas.
5. CAQM's  Direction  No.  79  dated  13.02.2024  was  issued  to  all  agencies  for  issuance  of completion  certificates  /  occupancy  certificates  for  C&D  projects  only  after  ensuring  that  no closure order has been issued or in force for the site so as to ensure compliance of dust control/ abatement measures.
6. CAQM's Advisory No. 12 dated 14.02.2024 has been issued to all Municipal bodies/ ULBs and all  related  departments  /  bodies  of  the  NCR  State  Govts.  /  NCT  of  Delhi  to  ensure  that  all prescribed measures towards effective mitigation of dust from C&D projects, which are highly vulnerable to the dust emissions, are incorporated in all the contract documents, agreements etc., including in road construction and maintenance projects.
7. Strict implementation of directions related to mandatory registration of construction / demolition projects  on  plot  area  >500  sq  mtr.  on  the  respective  web-portal  of  the  NCR  State,  besides deployment of anti-smog guns in proportion to the site/area. Punitive measures, including closure directions for non-compliances in this regard.
8. Implementation  of  a  standard  Schedule  issued  vide  letter  dated  06.02.2024  for  imposition  of Environmental Compensation (EC) Charges by enforcement agencies across all NCR States.
9. 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 17824 units/ entities/ projects have been inspected. Based on these inspections, CAQM has issued Closure Directions in 977 cases and out of these resumption orders  have  been  issued  in  769  cases  while  116  cases  are  still  under  closure  and  cases  of  92 balance units have been transferred to SPCBs / DPCC for final decision.
10. Since October 2023, Flying Squads are conducting inspection of DG sets in Commercial/Industrial/Residential  areas  in  compliance  of  CAQM  direction  no.  76.  As  on 07.06.2024, directions for sealing of DG-Sets have been issued for 390 entities against a total of 602 DG sets.
11. Directions  under  Section  5  of  the  Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986  have  been  issued  by CPCB to SPCBs/ PCCs for strict implementation of actions prescribed under stages of GRAP invoked from time to time in view of the deteriorated air quality situation in Delhi-NCR.
12. 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
13. Haryana, 1024 kilns  in  U.P.  and  217  kilns  in  Rajasthan.  Brick  kilns  not  converted  to  zig-zag technology are not permitted to operate.
13. Directions issued for installation of Online Continuous Emission Monitoring System (OCEMS) in Red category air polluting industries in Delhi-NCR. A total of 572 out of 633 industries have been reported to have installed OCEMS. For remaining units, action is taken by SPCBs/ PCCs as per the provisions of Air (P&CP) Act, 1981 including levy of Environmental Compensation.
14. 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. RECDs have been developed for DG sets of 61-799 kW capacity and installation of RECDs is in progress in Delhi-NCR. In order to control DG set emissions, CPCB is funding retrofitment/ upgradation of DG sets in Govt. hospitals in Delhi-NCR under EPC (Environment Protection Charges) fund.
15. In order to control road dust emissions, CPCB is funding NCR Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for construction/ repair of roads and procurement of anti-smog guns and Mechanical road sweepers under EPC funds.
16. Ban on 15 year old petrol and 10  year old diesel vehicles as per  Hon'ble Supreme Court  and Hon'ble NGT Orders.
17. Heavily polluting fuels such as pet coke and furnace oil have been banned in Delhi-NCR, other than few selected industrial sectors, as per Hon'ble Supreme Court Order.
18. Installation of Vapour Recovery System (VRS) at 3256 petrol pumps have been done in DelhiNCR.
19. Ambient  air  quality  network  in  Delhi-NCR  comprises  of  142  ambient  air  quality  monitoring stations  (83  Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) and 59 manual ambient  air  quality  monitoring  stations).  In  Delhi,  the  air  quality  network  comprises  of  40 CAAQMS and 07 manual air quality monitoring stations.
20. A centralized  air  quality  monitoring  portal  is  operated  by  CPCB  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.
21. AQI is monitored along with other parameters and is published on the website in the form of AQI Bulletin on daily basis at 4 p.m. Daily Air Quality reports are being shared with CAQM.
22. CPCB has also 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. The status of complaints redressal is monitored centrally on the portal.

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