Lok Sabha Question No. 195 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Air Pollution in Delhi
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Praveen Khandelwal

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 195

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## Air Pollution in Delhi

## *195.  SHRI PRAVEEN KHANDELWAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the alarming levels of air pollution in Delhi and its adverse impact on public health, particularly during the winter months;
- (b) whether the Delhi Government has adequately utilized funds and resources provided by the Central Government for pollution control measures and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if  not,  the  reasons  for  underutilization  of  fund  and  whether  any  accountability measures have been initiated and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)   whether lack of effective and sustainable policies by the said Government has contributed to  the  worsening  air  quality,  if  so,  the  corrective  measures  taken  by  the  Central Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

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

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARAS (a) to (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 195 DUE FOR REPLY ON 09.12.2024 REGARDING AIR POLLUTION IN DELHI BY SHRI PRAVEEN KHANDELWAL, HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT.

## (a) :

Air pollution in Delhi-National Capital Region (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. During post-monsoon and winter months, lower temperature, lower mixing heights, inversion conditions and stagnant winds lead to trapping of the pollutants resulting in high pollution in the region. This is further aggravated due to the emissions from episodic events like stubble burning, firecrackers, etc. Air pollution is one of the many factors affecting respiratory ailments and associated diseases. Health  is  affected  by  cumulative  impact  of  a  number  of  factors,  which  include  food  habits, occupational  habits,  socio-economic  status,  medical  history,  immunity,  heredity,  etc.,  of  the individuals apart from the environment.

## (b) & (c):

Status of funds released by Central Government to Municipal Corporation of Delhi through Delhi Pollution  Control  Committee  (DPCC)  under  National  Clean  Air  Programme  (NCAP)  and  its utilization status as on 19.11.2024, is as follow:

| Fund Released (in Cr.)   | Fund Released (in Cr.)   | Fund Released (in Cr.)   | Fund Released (in Cr.)   | Fund Released (in Cr.)   | Total Fund Utilised (in Cr.)   | Total Fund Utilised (in Cr.)   | Total Fund Utilised (in Cr.)   | Total Fund Utilised (in Cr.)   | Total Fund Utilised (in Cr.)   |
|--------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| FY 21-22                 | FY 22-23                 | FY 23-24                 | FY 24-25                 | Total                    | FY 21-22                       | FY 22-23                       | FY 23-24                       | FY 24-25                       | Total                          |
| 11.25                    | 22.50                    | 8.94                     | -                        | 42.69                    | -                              | 7.55                           | 5.05                           | 0.96                           | 13.56                          |

Performance based  grants  are  being  released  to  130  NACs  since  FY  2021-22.  Parameters  for release of funds to 42 Million Plus Cities (MPCs) has been defined in Operational Guidelines for Implementation  of recommendations  on  Urban  local  Body  grants  (Ambient  Air  Quality Component) contained in Chapter-7 of XV-FC Final report issued by Department of Expenditure and parameters for release of funds to 82 MPCs has been defined in Guidelines for Release and Utilization of Funds under NCAP issued by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India (MoEF&CC). Further, quantum of funds to be released depend upon the performance of the city based on the quantification of air quality improvement.

Based on the performance assessment, scores of the cities are being evaluated annually by CPCB and  funds  are  not  being  released  to  the  cities  scoring  below  40,  as  per  the  above  mentioned guidelines.

## (d) :

With  a  view  to  abate  and  control  air  pollution  in  Delhi  NCR,  the  Commission  for  Air  Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas, constituted in 2021, adopting an air-shed like approach has devised a comprehensive policy for abatement of pollution in NCR. It has prepared sector specific action points quantifying targets along with timelines and implementation plan by various agencies in NCR States with respect to abatement of air pollution owing to crop residue burning. The policy framework details sector-wise interventions, quantified targets and timelines for various sectors viz. Vehicular Pollution, Industrial Pollution, Dust from Construction and Demolition Project activities, Road and Open Areas Dust, Biomass Burning, Agricultural Stubble Burning, Municipal Solid Waste burning, Fires in Sanitary Landfills and air pollution from dispersed sources etc. Since inception, the Commission has issued 81 directions and 14 advisories, besides executive orders to various agencies concerned in the NCR including State Governments of Punjab, GNCTD, and various bodies of the Central and State Governments in the region.

Particularly  towards  abating  air  pollution  from  paddy  stubble  burnings  the  Commission  through statutory Directions dated 10.06.2021 had provided for a framework for control/elimination of crop residue burning and directed to draw up the state-specific action plans based on the major contours of the Framework. The Governments of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Government of NCT of Delhi accordingly formulated state specific action plans for prevention and control of paddy stubble burning during the paddy harvest season in 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively. Based on the framework and learnings from the year 2021, 2022 and 2023, the action plans for Punjab, Haryana and UP (NCR Districts) have been further revised and updated for the current paddy harvest season during  2024  including  various  measures  for  in-situ  and;  ex-situ  management  of  stubble  and  also focusing on IEC activities and enforcement mechanism. The Commission has issued revised statutory directions  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".

Further,  the  Graded  Response  Action  Plan  (GRAP)  which  is  an  emergency  response  measure, provides a specific set of actions depending on air pollution levels, which are to be implemented by identified  agencies  for  combating  the  adverse  air  quality,  particularly  during  the  winter  periods. Stricter regulations and restrictions imposed during the periods under GRAP help in averting further deterioration of Air Quality.

Various measures have been taken by the Government to reduce Air Pollution in Delhi NCR, which are provided in Annexure I .

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## Steps taken by the Government for abatement of Air Pollution in Delhi NCR:

## 1. Air Quality Monitoring and Network:

-  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 the country including Delhi and NCR cities.
-  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.
-  Daily AQI Bulletin is published on CPCB website as well as social media platforms giving AQI information for cities across India. 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, stubble burning cases, 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.

## 2. Regulatory Actions in Delhi-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 provided technical inputs to CAQM. Further, policy to curb air pollution in NCR has also been formulated.

## 3. Measures for control of emissions from Stubble Burning in Delhi-NCR:

-  Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) 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 for in-situ management of paddy straw. During the period from 2018 to 2024-25 (till 15.11.2024), a total of Rs. 3623.45 crores have been released (Punjab - Rs.

1681.45 crores, Haryana - Rs. 1081.71 crores, Uttar Pradesh - Rs. 763.67 crores, NCT of Delhi - Rs. 6.05 Crores and ICAR-Rs. 83.35 crores). The states have distributed more than 3.00 lakh machines to the individual farmers and to more than 40000 CHCs in these 4 States, which also include more than 4500 Balers & Rakes which are used for collection of straw in the form of bales for further ex-situ utilization. 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.

-  Based  on  the  deliberations  and  discussions  held  in  series  of  meetings  with  the  State Governments of Punjab, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan, Government  of NCT of Delhi, State Pollution Control Boards of NCR States and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and various other stakeholders viz. ISRO, ICAR, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), CAQM has provided a Framework to the states concerned for control / elimination of crop residue burning and directed these to draw up detailed state-specific action plans based on the major contours of the framework.
-  An Inter-Ministerial Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Special Secretary, MoAFW for convergence of scheme of Schemes/Inistiatives supporting Ex-situ management of paddy straw.
-  CAQM has issued directions permitting use of PNG or biomass as industrial fuel in NCR except  Delhi  where  only  PNG  is  permitted  as  industrial  fuel.  CAQM  has  also  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.
-  Based on the framework advised by CAQM through Direction dated 10.06.2021 to the concerned  State Governments  of  Punjab,  Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Government of NCT of Delhi to prepare state specific detailed, monitorable action plans based  on  learnings  from  the  years  2021,  2022  and  2023.  Action  plans  were  reviewed, updated  and  finalised  by  the  all  concerned  State  Governments  for  the  year  2024. Accordingly, a statutory direction for strict implementation of the framework and revised action plan for prevention and control of paddy stubble burning during the year 2024, to eliminate the practice through strict enforcement was issued to the respective States on 12.04.2024.
-  Central  Pollution  Control  Board  (CPCB)  has  framed  Guidelines  for  grant  of  one-time financial  support  under  Environment  Protection  Charge  funds  for  establishment  of pelletization  and  Torrefaction  plants  to  promote  utilisation  of  paddy  straw.  In  case  of setting  up of palletisation plant, Rs. 28 lakhs per tonne per hour (TPH), or 40% of the capital cost considered for plant and machinery of a 01 TPH plant, whichever is lower, is provided as one-time financial assistance with a maximum total financial support of Rs. 1.4 crore per proposal. In case of setting up of torrefaction plants, Rs. 56 lakhs per TPH, or 40% of the capital cost considered for plant and machinery of a 01 TPH plant, whichever is  lower,  is  provided  as  one-time  financial  assistance  with  a  maximum  total  financial support of Rs. 2.8 crore per proposal.
-  A total of 17 applications for establishment of pelletization and Torrefaction plants under the above mentioned CPCB Guidelines have been sanctioned so far, out of which 02 plants are  not  coming  up.  Pellet  production  capacity  of  15  sanctioned  plants  is  2.07  lakh
- tonne/annum.  These  plants  are  expected  to  utilize  2.70  lakh  tonne  of  paddy  straw  per annum.
-  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.
-  CPCB has deployed 26 teams (in 16 districts of Punjab and 10 districts of Haryana) for the period 01 st October - 30 th November, 2024 to intensify monitoring and enforcement actions regarding stubble burning. These teams are coordinating with concerned authorities/ officers deployed at the district level by the State Govt. and reporting to CAQM.
-  MoA&FW had deputed 31 Central Teams, which have conducted Quality Survey work w.e.f. 1-15 th September, 2024 in the States of Punjab, Haryana and Utatr Pradesh and the Teams  had  visited  275  manufacturers  and  conducted  quality  audit  of  910  agricultural machines. Further, 10 Central Teams have conducted survey on utilization of machines in States of Punjab and Haryana during 15 th October-31 st  October 2024. A Team comprising members from DA&FW, CAQM and ICAR and other stakeholders had visited to the State of Punjab to witness the activities of paddy straw management on 14 th  November, 2024.

## 4. Measures for control of vehicular emissions:

-  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.
-  Installation of VRS system at 3256 petrol pumps in Delhi-NCR in compliance with orders of Hon'ble Supreme Court and Hon'ble NGT.

## 5. Measures for control of industrial emission:

-  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.

## 6. Construction & Demolition (C&D) Waste:

-  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. Close Monitoring & Ground level implementation in Delhi-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 DelhiNCR 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.

## 8. National Clean Air Programme:

-  There are total 06 Non-attainment cites (NACs) in Delhi NCR, out of which 03 cities Delhi, Alwar and Noida are funded under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and 03 cities- Ghaziabad, Meerut and Faridabad are funded under Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV-FC).
-  City Action Plans for improvement in air quality have been rolled out for implementation in all the 06 identified cities.
-  During 2019-20 to 2024-25, a total budget of Rs 476.04 Cr has been released for Delhi NCR cities, out of which Rs, 334.53 (70%) have been utilized. A budget of Rs 42.69 Cr has been released for Delhi during the said period, out of which Rs. 13.56 Cr (32%) have been utilized.

## 9. Others:

-  2.07 crore trees planted in Delhi-NCR states under the campaign ' Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam ' (2.06 lakh trees in Delhi, 61 lakh trees in Haryana, 1.11 crore trees in UP and 32.9 lakh trees in Rajasthan).

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