Context:
Air quality is assessed under different Air Quality Index (AQI) categories namely, Good, Moderate, Satisfactory, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe. As per data on AQI in Delhi in NCR, there has been an improvement in the overall air quality in year 2017 as compared to the year 2016.
Steps taken by Govt.
The Government has taken several steps to address air pollution which inter alia, include notification of
- National Ambient Air Quality Standards;
- setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality;
- introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blending;
- launching of National Air Quality Index;
- universalization of BS-IV from 2017;
- leap-frogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards from 1st April, 2018;
- notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules; banning of burning of biomass; promotion of public transport network;
- streamlining the issuance of Pollution Under Control Certificate; issuance of directions under Section 18(1)(b) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986;
- installation of on-line continuous (24×7) monitoring devices by major industries;
- collection of Environmental Protection Charge on more than 2000 CC diesel vehicles; notification of Graded Response Action Plan for Delhi and NCR etc.
- CPCB has also deployed 40 field inspection teams for pollution hot spots in Delhi NCR and is also co-ordinating with various agencies for reducing air pollution.
Source:PIB