Lok Sabha Question No. 1430 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: Comprehensive Environment Pollution Index
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT RAGHUNATH PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1430

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.05.2016

## Comprehensive Environment Pollution Index

## 1430. SHRI C.R. PATIL:

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

- (a) whether a moratorium based on the score of Comprehensive Environment Pollution Index  (CEPI)  was  imposed  in  the  year  2010  on  7  industrial  clusters  in  Gujarat including clusters of Vapi, Ankeshwar and Vatva and if so, the the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  State  Government  of  Gujarat  has  forwarded  their  case  to  lift  the moratorium  from  Ankeshwar,  Vapi  and  Vatva  industrial  clusters  as  the  level  of pollution in these areas has gone down by 70%, 75% and 50% respectively and if so, the details and status thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government/CPCB has carried out inspection of the concerned areas on 18 and 19 January, 2016, if so, the details thereof along with the time by which the moratorium is likely to be lifted from these areas?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)  had  carried out a comprehensive environmental assessment in 88 prominent industrial clusters  during 2009-10 based on the concept of Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI). Out of the 88 industrial clusters assessed, 43 industrial clusters having CEPI score of 70 and above were identified as Critically Polluted Areas (CPAs) which included the industrial clusters of Vapi, Ankeshwar and Vatva in the state of Gujarat. Based on the CEPI scores, the Ministry on 13.01.2010 had imposed  moratorium  on  consideration  of  developmental  projects  in  all  the  43  identified CPAs. Subsequently, upon submission of action plans by concerned State Pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control Committees (SPCBs / PCCs) and further assessment under CEPI in  the  year  2011  and  2013,  moratorium  has  been  lifted  in  a  phased  manner.  Presently, moratorium has been lifted from 28 CPAs. The moratorium is in force in 7 CPAs namely Ankaleshwar,  Vatva,  Chandrapur,  Vellore  (North  Arcot),  Jodhpur,  Pali,  Najafgarh  Drain Basin.

In case of remaining 8 CPAs which include Vapi, based on the inputs received from concerned SPCBs  on  initiation of ground work  in implementation of action plans, moratorium was lifted on 26.10.2010. However, based on the CEPI studies of 2011 and 2013, moratorium was re-imposed on 17.09.2013 but this re-imposition of moratorium was kept in abeyance by the Ministry on 10.06.2014.

(b)&(c)       Yes,  Sir.  According  to  CPCB,  representations  have  been  received  from  Gujarat State Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and other agencies of State Government of Gujarat for lifting of moratorium from CPAs located in Gujarat. For undertaking review and assessment of the progress of implementation of Action Plans, field visits were undertaken during 18 th -19 th January, 2016 by the nominated officers. The matter has been deliberated in the Ministry and it has been decided to undertake another round of CEPI assessment based on the latest environmental monitoring.

*****