GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 31
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2015
Polluted cities in country
*31. SHRI SANJIV KUMAR:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether it is a fact that National Capital of India, Delhi and coal capital of India,
Dhanbad are the worst hit by pollution;
(b) whether it is also a fact that Delhi is the most polluted city in the country whereas
Dhanbad is the most polluted city in Jharkhand and stands at 13th position in the most
polluted city in India;
(c) whether it is a fact that because of high toxicity, air filled with coal dust and various
other pollutants, people of Dhanbad area are falling prey to asthma, TB, cancer and other
deadly ailments and are dying; and
(d) the efforts taken, if any, to check the menace?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House
***
Statement referred to in reply to Rajya Sabha Starred Question No. 31 due for reply on
23.07.2015 regarding 'Polluted cities in country' by SHRI SANJIV KUMAR, Hon'ble
Member of Parliament
(a)
The ambient air quality is monitored by Central Pollution Control Board and NEERI in Delhi
and by Jharkhand Pollution Control Board in Dhanbad under National Air Monitoring
programme (NAMP) for three pollutants namely, Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide
(NO2) and PM10 (particulate matter). As per analysis of data for the year 2011, 2012 and 2013,
the levels of SO2 (annual average) in both the cities in Delhi and Dhanbad are within the
notified norms of 50 µg/m3 and the levels of NO2 (annual average) in Dhanbad remained
within the Norms of 40 µg/m3 while it exceeded in Delhi. The levels of PM10 have exceeded
the norms of 60 µg/m3 (annual average) in both the cities. Air quality data of Delhi and
Dhanbad during 2011-2013 is enclosed at Annexure-I.
(b)
The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) - 2009 comprise 12 pollutants while
data is available for three pollutants namely SO2 , NO2 and PM10. Delhi was at 7th position for
PM10 (annual average), 2nd position for NO2 (annual average) and 160th position for SO2
(annual average), respectively while Dhanbad at 39th position for PM10 (annual average), 19th
position for NO2 (annual average) and at 26th position for SO2 (annual average) respectively
during 2013. There is no procedure to rank a city in respect of ambient air quality since there
are 12 pollutants in the NAAQS.
(c)
The Jharkhand Pollution Control Board, Central Pollution Control Board or the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change has not undertaken epidemiology study in Dhanbad
linking air pollution with respiratory ailment or cancer.
(d)
Dhanbad has been identified as one of the 43 critically polluted areas. Action Plan has been
formulated by the Jharkhand Pollution Control Board for improving the ambient environment
in Dhanbad. The Central Government has taken several measures to control air pollution which
interalia include, formulation of a stringent industrial emission standards, supply of improved
auto-fuel, tightening of vehicular emission norms, mandatory environmental clearance for
specified industries, promotion of cleaner technologies, preparation and implementation of
action plans for major cities and critically polluted areas, etc.
ANNEXURE-I referred in the statement referred to in reply to Rajya Sabha Starred
Question No. 31 due for reply on 23.07.2015 regarding 'Polluted cities in country' by SHRI
SANJIV KUMAR, Hon'ble Member of Parliament
Air quality status of Delhi and Jharkhand for 2011, 2012 and 2013
(Annual average (µg/m3)
S. No.
2011
City
2012
2013
SO2 NO2 PM10 SO2 NO2 PM10 SO2 NO2 PM10
1.
Delhi
5
57*
222*
5
59*
237*
4
66*
221*
2.
Dhanbad
16
35
202*
17
40
178*
16
40
151*
NB. *Concentration exceeding NAAQS of 50 µg/m3 for SO2, 40 µg/m3 for NO2, and 60 µg/m3 for
PM10 for Residential/ industrial / other area & 20 µg/m3 for SO2, 30 µg/m3 for NO2, and 60
µg/m3 for Ecologically sensitive area.
*****