Lok Sabha Question No. 99 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Pollution in Metro Cities
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: AJAY (TENI) MISRA, RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE, JAGDAMBIKA PAL, C.S. PUTTARAJU, S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA, RAM CHARITRA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 99

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2015

## Pollution in Metro Cities

## 99.   SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI:

SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

SHRI C.S. PUTTA RAJU:

SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:

SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that of the world's 20 most polluted cities, 13 are in India including the capital city of Delhi;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  indicating  the  pollution  level  in  metro  cities  of  the  country  as compared to other polluted cities in the world;
- (c) whether the Government has assessed the impact of high level of pollution on the health of the people;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (e) whether the Government has issued instructions to the Pollution Control Boards in the country to take suitable action in the matter;
- (f) if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and
- (g) the concrete measures taken/ proposed to be taken to curb all kinds of pollution in the country, particularly in the most polluted cities including Delhi and Mumbai?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a)  & (b). World Health Organisation (WHO) released Ambient Air Pollution Database-update 2014 considering only two pollutants, namely PM10 (particulate matter having size equal to or less than 10 micron) and PM2.5 (particulate matter having size equal to or less than 2.5 micron) for 1628 cities at global level whereas National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)-2009

notified by the Central Government comprise twelve pollutants including PM10 and PM2.5. WHO report  describes  10  Indian  cities  including  Delhi  among  top  20  most  polluted  cities  in  world while considering estimated data for fine dust (PM10) while it is 13 cities considering PM2.5 in select manner which is improper.

- (c) to (f) Two  epidemiological  studies  undertaken  by  CPCB  in  association  with  the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, are namely, 'Epidemiological Study on Effect of Air  Pollution  on  Human  Health  (adults)  in  Delhi';  and  'Study  on  Ambient  Air  Quality, Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function of Children in Delhi'.  Another study was sponsored by the Ministry of Environment & Forests to Institute of Health Systems, Hyderabad namely, 'Environmental Health effect-cause of Death in Hyderabad'.  There is no conclusive evidence that air pollution has led to loss of lives of patients suffering from respiratory diseases and has also  adversely  affected  food  grain  production  in  the  country.  Air  pollution  may  aggravate  the situation but it not the only cause of respiratory diseases.  Central Pollution Control Board has issued instruction to concerned State Pollution Control Boards/ Pollution Control Committee for UTs in respect of 95 non-attainment cities for formulation of action plan to control air pollution.

(g) Various steps are taken by the Government to control air pollution in Delhi and Mumbai inter alia include, Clean India Mission, supply of cleaner fuel as per auto fuel policy, pollution under control (PUC) certificate system for in-use vehicles, gaseous fuel for public transport in Delhi and Mumbai, use of beneficiated coal (ash content  not  to  exceed  34%)  in  coal  based  thermal power plants, strengthening metro as means of public transport, strengthening public transport, stringent  source  specific  standards  for  industries,  closure  of  Indraparastha  coal  based  thermal power plant in Delhi, ban on burning of leaves, etc.

***