Lok Sabha Question No. 363 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Deaths due to Air Pollution
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Kalyan Banerjee

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 363

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## Deaths due to Air Pollution

## 363.     SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE:

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

- (a) the latest estimated number of premature deaths in india attributable to ambient air pollution (PM2.5 and other pollutants) and the percentage of total deaths;
- (b) the State/UT-wise details of pollution-attributable mortality during the last five years and the trend in each State/UT thereof;
- (c) the  details  of  contribution  of  key  pollution  sources  (e.g.,  coal-fired  power  plants,  crop-residue burning,  vehicular  emissions)  to  the  mortality  burden  and  the  measures  taken  to  mitigate  each source therefor; and
- (d) the details of timeline and targets set for reducing pollution-related mortality, including intermediate milestones and monitoring mechanisms therein?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d ): As per the information received from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ministry  of  health  &  Family  Welfare  (MoH&FW),  NCDC  does  not  maintain  information regarding estimated number of premature deaths in the country attributed to ambient air pollution and pollution attributable mortality. Air Pollution is one of the many factors affecting respiratory ailments and associated diseases.

To improve air quality in 130 non-attainment and Million-Plus Cities in 24 States/UTs, Ministry of  Environment, Forest  and  Climate  Change  (MoEF&CC)  launched  National  Clean  Air Programme  (NCAP)  in  January,  2019  through  a comprehensive,  integrated  and  collaborative approach involving the coordinated efforts of the Central and State Governments, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and other stakeholders.

It emphasizes source-specific mitigation measures through the implementation of city, state, and national-level Clean Air Action Plans. State Action Plans have been prepared by all 24 States/UTs. Also, all 130 cities under the NCAP have prepared a Clean Air Action Plan (CAP). These plans focus  on  sectoral  interventions  such  as road  dust  control,  solid  waste  management,  vehicular emissions, construction and demolition activities and industrial pollution.

The programme also leverages the benefits of  various schemes of Central & State Governments that contribute to mitigation of air pollution such as Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), AMRUT, Smart City Mission, PM e-Bus Sewa, PM E-DRIVE, Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation  (SATAT),  and  Nagar  Van  Yojana,  as well  as  resources  of  State  Govts.  /  UT administrations, Municipal Corporations and other developmental authorities through convergence schemes.

Government  has  launched  Air  Quality  Index  (AQI)  in  the  year  2015,  to  provide  air  quality information to the people in easy to understand terms through one number, one nomenclature and one colour. It transforms air quality data of 8 air pollutants and their likely health impacts into a single number.

The SAMEER mobile application and web portal provide near real-time air quality data and hourly Air Quality Index (AQI) information of more than 280 cities through automated system without any human intervention. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) issues a daily bulletin at 04:00 PM comprising AQI of various cities in the country. SAMEER serves as a grievance redressal mechanism,  enabling  citizens  to  report  pollution-related  complaints  for  prompt  action  by concerned authorities. This has created transparency and extensive public awareness on issues related to clean air.

To tackle air pollution in emergencies, Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi-NCR has been prepared, which provides set of emergency response actions, depending on severity of air pollution levels, and implemented by identified agencies for minimizing air pollution, a situation that generally persists in the Delhi-NCR during the peak winter months.

Emergency Response System (ERS) in line with Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of DelhiNCR, has been developed in identified non-attainment/ million plus cities under NCAP. The higher emission  zones/hotspots  within  the  city  have  been  identified  and  detailed  action  plan  for  the identified sources in these hotspots have been prepared. Public Grievance Redressal System also been developed in non-attainment/ million plus cities wherein air pollution issues are addressed.

Government has taken several initiatives to address pollution from PM2.5 levels inter-alia include leapfrogging  from  BS-IV  to  BS-VI  fuel  and  vehicle norms  effective  from  1st  April  2020, promotion of e-mobility and alternate fuels, voluntary vehicle scrapping policy through Voluntary Vehicle-Fleet Modernization Program (VVMP), implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for End-of- Life Vehicles (ELVs).

Additionally, Ministry formulates and notifies standards for emissions or discharge of environmental  pollutants  viz.  air  pollutants,  water  pollutants  and  noise  limit,  from  industries, operations or processes with an aim to protect and improve the quality of environment and abate environmental pollution.

CPCB has directed all  17  categories  of high  pollution  potential  industries  and  common  waste treatment facilities 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.

Government has revised the emission norms in December, 2015 for Thermal Power Plants for Particulate Matter (PM), making it more stringent from earlier standards that were notified in 1989. Government has introduced emission norms for controlling Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) from thermal power plants in December, 2015. CAQM has 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.

To address air pollution from paddy stubble burning, State Governments of Punjab, Haryana and UP prepared state specific action plans based on the framework prepared by CAQM. The Action Plan includes measures such as in-situ crop residue management, ex-situ utilization of paddy straw, strict monitoring and enforcement, and extensive awareness campaigns.

To promote utilization of paddy straw, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) provides one-time financial assistance for establishment of paddy straw based pelletisation and torrefaction plants. 27 plants have been sanctioned so far (23 in Punjab, 04 in Haryana) at a cost of Rs.26.84 crore with production capacity of 112 TPH to utilise 5.16 lakh tonnes paddy straw annually.

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