GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION N0. 45
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.11.2015
Air Pollution in metropolitan cities
45.
SHRI SANJAY RAUT:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether Government is aware that 13 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world are in
India;
(b) if so, the details in this regard;
(c) whether it is a fact that Delhi, is at the top of the polluted cities with 153 micrograms of
PM 2.5 per cubic meter and this is reducing the life span of every citizen by 3 years;
(d) if so, the details in this regard and the immediate steps taken to control pollution which
is increasing alarmingly; and
(e) the budgetary allocation during 2015-16 for the mitigation and control of air pollution,
especially in metropolitan cities?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST
AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) & (b)
The National Ambient Quality Standards (November 2009) comprises of 12
pollutants, namely, PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, O3, CO, NH3, Benzene, lead, Arsenic, Nickel,
BaP (particulate phase). The ambient air quality is monitored in 254 cities, towns, and
industrial areas of the country by the Central Pollution Control Board, concerned State
Pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control Committees and NEERI for 3 to 8 pollutants.
Different cities stand differently in ranking on the basis of individual pollutants in ambient
air. A report was bought out by the World Health Organisation in 2014 ranking 13 cities of
India among top 20 most polluted cities of world on the basis of levels of PM2.5 which is
based on extrapolated and estimated values of PM2.5. The said ranking of cities is, therefore,
not appropriate.
(c)
As per the monitoring conducted by Delhi Pollution Control Board in 2014, the
annual average of PM2.5 of residential area varied from 125 µg/m3 to 140 µg/m3. Delhi can
not be classified as top polluted city solely on the basis of particulate matter. The life span
depends on several factors including life style pursued by the individual, extreme climatic
conditions, food habits, etc. However, air pollution is known to be one of the aggravating
factors for many respiratory ailments and cardiovascular disease.
(d)
The Government has taken following actions for control of pollution:
 Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards 2009, envisaging 12
pollutants;
 Formulation of regulations/statutes;
 Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality;
 Introduction of cleaner/alternate fuels and promotion of public transport network;
 Creation of infrastructure for pollution control;
 Promotion of cleaner production processes, setting up of common pollution
control facilities etc.;
The Government, after realizing the gravity of pollution, has also taken more concrete
measures as depicted below,:
 Clean India Mission (Swatch Bharat Abhiyan) launched on 2nd October, 2014;
 Draft Rules for handing and management of municipal waste have been notified
for comments of stakeholders.
 Standards for sewage treatment plants notified for comments of stakeholders.
 Implementation of Bharat Stage IV norms in the 63 selected cities and Bharat
Stage III norms in rest of the country;
 National Air Quality index launched by the Prime Minister in April, 2015 starting
with 10 cities;
 Banning of burning of leaves/ biomass;
 Relevant draft rules, including those pertaining to construction and demolition
waste notified;
 Co-ordination meetings held at official and ministerial level with Delhi and other
State Governments within the National Capital Region (NCR);
 Short-term plan has been reviewed and long-term plans have been formulated by
states to mitigate pollution in NCR;
 Stringent industrial standards have been formulated and notified for
public/stakeholder’s comments; standards for sugar industry, thermal power plants
and CETPs have been finalized.
 Government is giving high priority for public partnership in lane discipline, car
pooling, vehicle maintenance, pollution under control certification, idling of
vehicles etc.
 Out of 3386 major industries, 1782 industries have installed on-line continuous
(24X7) monitoring devices; others are in process of installing.
(e)
The issue of mitigation and control of air pollution is multi–disciplinary and is
addressed by different Ministries / Departments and agencies of Central and State
Government at different levels including local self-Government. There are several schemes
on mitigation and control of air pollution wherein funds are provided to State Pollution
Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees. It includes grant in aid to Central
Pollution Control Board, disbursement of water cess proceeds to State Pollution Control
Boards and Pollution Control Committees for control of pollution and various schemes of the
State Government.
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