Government Has Taken Several Measures to Minimise the Impact of Air Pollution: Javadekar

Government Has Taken Several Measures to Minimise the Impact of Air Pollution: Javadekar

Environmental pollution on account of air pollution causes respiratory diseases in children.  Air Pollution in general causes respiratory ailments and also may affect lung function.  Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, chronic bronchitis etc. are the diseases caused by exposure to increasing air pollution. Air pollution is known to be one of the aggravating factors for many respiratory ailments and cardiovascular diseases.Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had conducted an epidemiological study on ambient air quality, respiratory systems and lung functions of children in association with the Chittranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata.

          To minimize the impact of environmental pollution particularly air pollution, the Government has inter alia taken the following actions:

·      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 fuel like CNG, LPG etc. and promotion of public transport network including Metro;

·      Creation of infrastructure for industrial pollution control incorporating cleaner production processes, setting up of common pollution control facilities;

           The Government after realizing the gravity of pollution, have also taken the following measures:

·      Clean India Mission (Swatch Bharat Abhiyan) has been launched;

·      Draft Rules for handing and management of municipal waste have been notified for comments of stakeholders.

·         Standards for sewage treatment plants have been 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 was 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 have been notified;

·         Regular co-ordination meetings are being held at official and ministerial level with Delhi and other State Governments within the National Capital Region (NCR) on 6^th April, 13^th April and 24^th July, 2015 to control environmental pollution in NCR adopting air-shed approach;

·         Short-term plan has been reviewed  and long-term plans have been formulated to mitigate pollution in NCR;

·         Stringent industrial standards have been formulated and notified for public/stakeholder’s comments;

·         Government is giving high priority for public partnership in lane discipline, car pooling, vehicle maintenance, pollution under control certification etc.

·         Out of 2800 major industries, 920 industries have installed on-line continuous (24X7) monitoring devices.