Government Issues Directions for Pollution Control and Improving Ambient Air Quality in Delhi and NCR
Government Issues Directions for Pollution Control
and Improving Ambient Air Quality in Delhi and NCR
The Centre today issued
directions, to all agencies falling under Delhi airshed area, under Section 18
of Air Act, 1981, to control air pollution and improve the Ambient Air Quality
in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR). The directions have
been issued to state governments of Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar
Pradesh.
Minister of State
(Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash
Javadekar said that directions to control vehicular emissions include -
immediate action against visibly polluting vehicles, carrying out checks
of overloaded vehicles, ensuring No Parking in non-designated areas,
decongestion of pathways, promoting battery-operated vehicles and considering
introduction of flexi/staggered timings to minimize peak movement of
vehicles.
The Minister also said that
mechanized sweeping of roads will be introduced to control dust on the
roads. Shri Javadekar added that to control air pollution from
construction and demolition activities, municipal agencies have been asked to
undertake water sprinkling and putting up curtains and barriers. He
pointed out that to control air pollution arising from biomas burning, the ban
on burning of agriculture waste and crop residues will be strictly
enforced. “Directions have also been issued to ensure strict action
against unauthorized brick kilns in an effort to control air pollution caused
by industries”, Shri Javadekar stated.
The following is the text
of the directions under Section 18 (1) (b) of the Air (Prevention and Control
of Pollution) Act, 1981 regarding prevention, control or abatement of air
pollution and improvement of National Ambient Air Quality in Delhi and National
Capital Region (NCR) issued here today:
“Whereas, under
Section 17 (1) (a) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981,
one of the functions of the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and
Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) is to plan comprehensive programmes for
prevention, control or abatement of air pollution and to secure the execution
thereof;
Whereas, levels of
Particulate Matter (PM10 & PM2.5) exceed the National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS) 2009 in the National Capital Region (NCR);
Whereas, the primary
sources of air pollution in NCR States are: a) vehicular emissions; b) burning
of biomass, Crop residues, Municipal Solid Waste and Garbage, c) Road dust; d)
Constructions and Demolitions; and g) Industrial emissions, etc;
Whereas, serious concerns have been expressed by Hon’ble Supreme
Court, High Court of Delhi and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in the matter
from time to time and specific directions have been issued;
Whereas, there have been regular meetings between Ministry of
Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) with the Government of
Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to evolve and implement short and
long-term action plans;
Whereas, the
concerned State Governments have agreed to implement identified actions on
short and long term basis;
Whereas, clean
air is a matter of right and it is necessary to implement steps towards
improvement of Air Quality in the National Capital Region;
Whereas, functions of
the Central Pollution Control Board under Section 16 of the Air (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 include improvement of quality of air and to
prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country;
Whereas, steps
are urgently required to improve air quality adopting a multipronged and
integrated approach including close monitoring of implementation;
NOW, THEREFORE, in
view of the above stated facts, the following directions in exercise of
powers under section 18(1) (b) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1981 are hereby issued in order to improve the air quality in Delhi and
NCR as per timelines indicated:
Control of Vehicular Emissions:
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Sl. No.
|
Action Points
|
Time Frame for
implementation
|
|
i)
|
Launch extensive
awareness drive against polluting vehicles;
|
Immediate
|
|
ii)
|
Ensure Strict action
against visibly polluting vehicles;
|
Immediate
|
|
iii)
|
Install weigh in motion bridges at Delhi
borders to prevent overloading;
|
Immediate
|
|
iv)
|
Take steps to prevent parking of vehicles
in the non-designated areas;
|
Immediate
|
|
v)
|
Introduce early alarm system for benefit of
commuters related to traffic congestion on major routes for route
diversion ;
|
Immediate
|
|
vi)
|
Consider introducing plan for
Flexi/staggered timings to minimize peak movement of vehicles on the road;
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Immediate
|
|
vii)
|
Take steps for
retrofitting of diesel vehicles with Particulate Filters;
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Immediate
|
|
viii)
|
De-congest pathways;
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Immediate
|
|
ix)
|
Synchronize traffic movements / Introduce
intelligent traffic systems for lane-driving;
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30 days
|
|
x)
|
Install vapor recovery system in fueling
stations
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30 days
|
|
xi)
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Take steps for installation of remote sensor
based PUC system etc.;
|
90 days
|
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xii)
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Formulate action plan for controlling
decongestion of fuel stations including increasing number of dispensing
machines;
|
90 days
|
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xiii)
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Prepare action plan to check fuel
adulteration and random monitoring of fuel quality data;
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90 days
|
|
xiv)
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Prepare action plan for public transport on
CNG mode;
|
90 days
|
|
xv)
|
Undertake road widening and improvement of
infrastructure for decongestion of road;
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90 days
|
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xvi)
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Promote battery operated vehicles;
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90 days
|
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xvii)
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Take steps to expedite early completion of
Western and Eastern Peripheral expressway and submit completion schedule
|
60 days
|
(B) Control of
Road Dust/Re-suspension of dust and other fugitive emission:
|
Sl. No.
|
Action Points
|
Time Frame for
implementation
|
|
i)
|
Formulate action plan for creation of green
buffers along the traffic corridors;
|
Immediate
|
|
ii)
|
Introduce wet/ mechanized vacuum sweeping
of roads;
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30 days
|
|
iii)
|
Maintain pot holes free roads for free-flow
of traffic to reduce emissions and dust;
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60 days
|
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iv)
|
Introduce water fountains at major traffic
intersection, wherever feasible;
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90 days
|
|
v)
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Undertake greening of open areas, gardens,
community places, schools and housing societies.
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90 days
|
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vi)
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Take steps for blacktopping / pavement of
road shoulders to avoid road dust;
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180 days
|
(C)
Control of Air Pollution from Bio-Mass Burning:
|
Sl. No.
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Action Points
|
Time Frame for
implementation
|
|
i)
|
Take stringent action against open burning
of bio-mass/leaves/tyres etc to control such activities and submit periodic
status reports;
|
Immediate
|
|
ii)
|
Ensure proper collection of horticulture
waste (bio-mass) and composting–cum-gardening approach;
|
Immediate
|
|
iii)
|
Ensure strict enforcement of ban on burning
of agriculture waste and crop residues
|
Immediate
|
|
iv)
|
Prohibit use of coal in hotels and
restaurants and eliminate use of kerosene for cooking in Delhi;
|
60 days
|
(D) Control of
Industrial Air Pollution;
|
Sl. No.
|
Action Points
|
Time Frame for
implementation
|
|
i)
|
Ensure strict action against unauthorized
brick kilns
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30 days
|
|
ii)
|
Ensure strict action against industrial
units not complying with standards ;
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60 days
|
|
iii)
|
Enforce strict compliance of conversion of
Natural draft brick kilns to induced-draft;
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90 days
|
|
iv)
|
Launch action plan for switching over to
natural gas by industries, wherever feasible.
|
120 days
|
(E)
Control of Air Pollution from Construction and Demolition Activities:
|
Sl. No.
|
Action Points
|
Time Frame for
implementation
|
|
i)
|
Control dust pollution at construction
sites through appropriate cover
|
Immediate
|
|
ii)
|
Undertake control measures for fugitive
emissions from material handling, conveying and screening operations through
water sprinkling, curtains, barriers and dust suppression units;
|
30 days
|
|
iii)
|
Ensure carriage of construction material in
closed/covered vessels;
|
30 days
|
(F) Other Steps to control Air
Pollution
|
Sl. No.
|
Action Points
|
Time Frame for
implementation
|
|
i)
|
Set-up helpline in States/UT for taking
action against reported non-compliance;
|
Immediate
|
|
ii)
|
Evolve a system of reporting of garbage
/municipal solid waste burning through mobile based applications and other
social media platform linked with Central and State level Control Rooms ;
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30 days
|
|
iii)
|
Establish Standard Operating Procedure to
provide quick and effective response to complaints
|
30 days
|
|
iv)
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Take steps for maximizing coverage of LPG /
PNG for domestic cooking purposes with intention of achieving 100%;
|
90 days
|
|
v)
|
Ensure DG sets meeting the standards only
be allowed to operate
|
30 days
|
|
vi)
|
Promote use of LPG instead of coal in
restaurants/ dhabas/ road side eateries;
|
90 days
|
|
vii)
|
Undertake Satellite based monitoring for
tracking and enforcing agriculture waste burning;
|
90 days
|
|
viii)
|
Take steps for setting up of bio-mass based
power generation units to avoid bio-mass burning.
|
One year
|
The State Pollution Control
Boards (SPCBs) / Pollution Control Committee (PCC) shall acknowledge the
receipt of this direction immediately and shall communicate the status of the
implementation before 31st January 2016 supplemented with
ambient air quality monitoring data being maintained by them. The SPCBs/PCC
shall issue further directions to such authorities, as may be necessary, for
implementation of these directions by 15th of January, 2016.
*****
Memorandum of Understanding on the
Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to sign Memoranda of
Understanding (MOU) on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa
and Eurasia, also called the 'Raptor MOU' with the Convention on Conservation
of Migratory Species (CMS). With the signing of this MOU, India will become the
54th signatory to the MOU.
Background:
Raptor MOU was concluded on 22nd October 2008 and came into effect on 1st November 2008. The Raptor MOU is an agreement under Article IV paragraph 4 of the CMS and is not legally binding. The MOU seeks willingness of the signatory Range States for working for conservation of the raptor species and their habitats. An action plan has been formulated which primarily envisages the conservation action for Raptor species. The Raptors MoU extends its coverage to 76 species of birds of prey out of which 46 species including vultures, falcons, eagles, owls, hawks, kites, harriers, etc. also occur in India.
Considering that the Raptor MOU is also in conformity with the provisions of the existing Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, wherein the birds have been accorded protection, India would gain domain knowledge which would be helpful in effectively managing the habitats of these Raptors, including concerted trans-boundary efforts for conservation through interaction with other range countries by signing of the MOU with the CMS. Pakistan and Nepal are the other neighbours who are signatories to this MOU.
The CMS or Bonn Convention, under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to conserve migratory species throughout their range. India had become a party to the CMS since 1st November 1983.
Background:
Raptor MOU was concluded on 22nd October 2008 and came into effect on 1st November 2008. The Raptor MOU is an agreement under Article IV paragraph 4 of the CMS and is not legally binding. The MOU seeks willingness of the signatory Range States for working for conservation of the raptor species and their habitats. An action plan has been formulated which primarily envisages the conservation action for Raptor species. The Raptors MoU extends its coverage to 76 species of birds of prey out of which 46 species including vultures, falcons, eagles, owls, hawks, kites, harriers, etc. also occur in India.
Considering that the Raptor MOU is also in conformity with the provisions of the existing Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, wherein the birds have been accorded protection, India would gain domain knowledge which would be helpful in effectively managing the habitats of these Raptors, including concerted trans-boundary efforts for conservation through interaction with other range countries by signing of the MOU with the CMS. Pakistan and Nepal are the other neighbours who are signatories to this MOU.
The CMS or Bonn Convention, under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to conserve migratory species throughout their range. India had become a party to the CMS since 1st November 1983.
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