Lok Sabha Question No. 2659 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-02
Subject: Vehicular Pollution
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: M. K. RAGHAVAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2659

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02/08/2016

## Vehicular Pollution

## 2659. SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN:

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

- (a)   the pollution/emission level of vehicles recorded in New Delhi for the last 6 months;
- (b)  whether  any  change  in  level  of  vehicle  pollution  has  been  noticed  after  the  odd-even formula adopted by the NCT of Delhi and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)   if not, the reasons therefor and the alternatives proposed to be taken in this regard; and
- (d)  the steps being taken to ensure that BS-IV or BS-VI fuels are available for pollution free vehicles in the country?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

(a) Pollution due to vehicular emissions are not recorded separately in the ambient air.  A source  apportionment  study  can  indicate  the  emission  inventory  from  various  sources. However,  the  ambient  air  quality  data  monitored  in  Delhi  under  National  Air  Monitoring Programme (NAMP) by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) during last 6 months from  December,  2015  to  May,  2016  indicates  that  SO2 ranges  between  5  to  11  µg/m 3 (24 hourly  standards  80  µg/m 3 ),  NO2  ranges  between  56  to  90  µg/m 3 (24  hourly  standards  80 µg/m 3 ), PM10 ranges between 225 to 372 µg/m 3 (24 hourly standards 100 µg/m 3 ) and PM2.5 ranges between 87 to 196 µg/m 3 (24 hourly standards . 60 µg/m 3 ). The parameters, except SO2 are exceeding the stipulated air quality standards.

(b) & (c) The assessment of CPCB during Odd-Even phase-I has revealed no clear trend and wide  fluctuations  observed  in  the  concentrations  while  assessment  done  during  Odd-Even phase-II  indicated  the  ambient  air  quality  in  Delhi  during  the  Odd-Even  implementation period  is  found  to  be  more  deteriorated  than  the  one  when  the  said  restriction  was  not  in force. It is evident that the meteorology and emissions from other polluting sources have been major  factors  impacting  air  quality  of  Delhi  during  the  period.  Higher  wind  speeds  and mixing height in general result in better dispersion and lower pollution levels. Overall, it can be stated that while some change in level of air pollution is likely to happen due to odd-even scheme, a single factor or action cannot substantially account for air pollution levels in Delhi. Therefore,  a  comprehensive  set  of  actions  following  an  integrated  approach  is  required  to make substantial improvement in air quality.  Action taken in this regard include Notification of  Ambient  Air  Quality  Standards;  formulation  of  environmental  regulations  /  statutes;

setting  up  of  monitoring  network  for  assessment  of  ambient  air  quality;  introduction  of cleaner  /  alternate  fuels;  promotion  of  cleaner  production  processes;  launching  of  National Air  Quality  index;  taxing  polluting  vehicles  and  incentivizing  hybrid  and  electric  vehicles; comprehensive amendments to various Waste Management Rules; ban on burning of leaves, biomass, municipal solid waste; promotion of public transport; revision of existing environmental standards and formulation of new standards; installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries etc.

d) The  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  &  Highways  (MoRTH)  has  issued  draft  notification GSR 405(E) dated May 19, 2015 regarding implementation of BS-IV emission norms for all categories of four wheelers and its commensurate improved fuel quality  in the entire country by 1st April, 2017.  Further it has also been decided to leapfrog directly from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards by 1st April, 2020.

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