Cement, Energy and Environment

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINI STRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2811 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.02.20 14 Pollution linked to fog cover SHRI RAMA CHANDRA KHUNTIA: Will the Minister of Environment and Forests be pleased to state that: (a) whether pollution is linked to fog cover in capital Delhi, whether it is a fact that P.M.I.O., PM 2.5 and Black Carbon have increased abnormally in Delhi and mostly MP 205 emissions are from the transport sector which was highest and growing followed by burning of biomass and construction work and infrastructure project; and (b) if so, the strategy of Government to check the pollution in the National Capital of Delhi? Answer MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (DR. M. VEERAPPA MOlLY) (a) Ambient air quality in capital Delhi is monitored by the Central Pollution Control Board, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur and Indian Institute of Tropical Management (IITM), Pune. The air pollutants, namely PM10andPM2.5 are listed under the national ambient air quality standards. Black Carbon is reportedly monitored by IITM for weather forecasting . As per available data, there is mixed trend in the levels of PM10 and PM2.5 at different locations in the capital Delhi. (b) To control air pollution in Delhi, various steps have been taken by the Government which inter-alia include; use of coal fired boilers banned unless fitted with electro static precipitator; closure of 1328 hazardous, noxious & heavy/large industries; closure of a coal based lndraprastha Thermal Power Plant; banning of burning of leaves/biomass; registering only B.S. III/IV compliant two/three wheelers and cars in Delhi with effect from 01.04.2010; insistence on dust control measures in construction projects; strengthening network of metro trains as a means of public transport ; use of natural gas as fuel in bus, taxies and autos for public transport; etc. ******* GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MIN ISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 323 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2014 Air pollution in rural areas *323 Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari: Will the Minister of Environment and Forests be pleased to state that: (a) whether air pollution is on the rise in rural areas due to expansion of industries, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether any study has been conducted about the effects of air pollution in rural areas, if so, the details thereof; and (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to spread awareness among rural people about air pollution? Answer MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (DR. M. VEERAPPA MOILY) (a)to(c):A statement is laid on the Table of the House Statement referred to in reply toRajyaSabha Starred Question No. 323due for reply on 13.02.2014 regard ing 'Air pollution in rural areas' by Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari , Hon'ble Member of Parliament. (a) The air quality in rural areas has not been monitored per se. However, the monitoring of the ambient air quality in rural area of Punjab is initiated by the Punjab Pollution Control Board at four villages, one location each, in four different districts. Ambient air quality in three districts namely Amritsar, Sangrur and Faridkot is being monitored since December, 2012 whereas in Sahid Bhagat Singh Nagar since January, 2014 for three pollutants, namely, Particulate Matter having size equal to or less than 10 micron (PM1 0), Sulphur Dioxide (S02) and Nitrogen Dioxide (N02). As per available data, S02 and N02are within prescribed norms whereas PM1Ohas exceeded the norms for a few months. The available data is for a short duration and it would be premature to draw a trend . (b) The National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur has undertaken a study, namely, Control of Indoor Air Pollution in Rural Areas under the Rural Development, SC/ST, Women, North-East and