Lok Sabha Question No. 2382 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Health Risks arising from Deteriorating Air Quality
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Dharambir Singh, Shri Mahesh Kashyap, Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Shri Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, Shri Dilip Saikia, Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat, Shri Jashubhai Bhilubhai Rathva, Shri Mahendra Singh Solanky

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2382

TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## Health Risks arising from Deteriorating Air Quality

## 2382.   SHRI JASHUBHAI BHILUBHAI RATHVA:

SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI:

SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH SOLANKY:

SHRI MAHESH KASHYAP:

DR. RAJESH MISHRA:

SHRI DILIP SAIKIA:

SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH:

SHRI TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the petitions before the Supreme Court on air-pollution health emergency and the National Health Advisory Protocol;
- (b) the response of the Government to the submissions filed and Supreme Court directives for mitigating the health risks arising from deteriorating air quality in major metropolitan cities along with the measures being taken in this regard, State-wise including Dewas-Shajapur in Madhya Pradesh;
- (c) whether the Government in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, proposes to issue a national-level health advisory/emergency protocol, if so, the details thereof, State-wise including the said regions and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the status of air quality in the industrial district of Singrauli;
- (e) whether all the companies operating in Singrauli are fully complying with National Green Tribunal (NGT) and environmental standards, if so, the details thereof and if not, the action taken against such companies; and
- (f) whether additional Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) will be  installed  in  Bhiwani-Mahendragarh  Lok  Sabha  Constituency,  given  seasonal  dust storms and highway emissions affecting rural health in the region?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b):  The Hon'ble Supreme Court vide W.P. No. 13029/1985 in M C Mehta vs Union of India & Ors  review the matters related to Air Pollution in Delhi NCR and has passed directions from time to time, to concerned stakeholders. In this regard, responses have been filed before the Hon'ble Court in respect of directions pertaining to this Ministry.

- (c): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued Health Advisory on Air Pollution to all States /UTs to support various actions for awareness generation and health system response.    The details of the said advisory is available in public domain in the web site of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.  Further,  States/UTs  also  issue  public  health  advisory  on  air  pollution  related health matters every year and create awareness on the Do's and Don'ts to minimise, protect and prevent on the health impacts related to air pollution.
- (d): The  average  Air  Quality  Index  of  Singrauli  District  is  130.  Number  of  Good  days  has increased from 145 in 2022 to 252 in 2025 (until the month of November).
- (e):    CPCB has issued directions u/s 18(1)(b) of the Water and the Air Act  to all SPCBs/PCCs to inspect Red, Orange, and Green categories of industries at a minimum inspection frequency of 6 months, 1 year and 2 years, for verification of compliance of environmental norms. In addition, common waste management/treatment facilities such as STPs, CETPs, CBMWTFs etc., and 17 categories  of  high  pollution  potential  industries  are  to  be  inspected  on  quarterly  basis  by SPCBs/PCCs. Further, Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPCB) reported that all thermal power plants, coal mines and industries operating within the jurisdiction of Singrauli district are monitored by them to ensure compliance with the directions and orders issued from time to time by the Hon'ble National Green Tribunal (NGT).
- (f): Concerned State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees install Monitoring Stations to collect  ambient air quality, in line with the criteria issued by  the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

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