Pollution Monitoring Stations In 132 Cities: Environment Minister Lists Steps Taken By Govt To Help Reduce Pollution Levels

Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav informed Rajya Sabha on Thursday that the government has set up pollution monitoring stations in 132 cities to help reduce air pollution levels in the country.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday came down heavily on the Delhi government and Centre over deteriorating air quality in Delhi and expressed dissatisfaction over the measures taken in the last few weeks, saying that despite the government's claims, air pollution in the national capital has increased.

The apex Court has given a 24-hour ultimatum to Centre, Delhi government and neighboring states to take action against industrial and vehicular pollution, which is considered among the main contributors to deteriorating air quality. Delhi's air quality has deteriorated since Diwali last month.

Meanwhile, replying to supplementaries during Question Hour, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav informed Rajya Sabha on Thursday that the government has set up pollution monitoring stations in 132 cities to help reduce air pollution levels in the country.

"Monitoring stations have set up in 132 cities in the country to monitor air pollution and steps are being taken by the government to reduce pollution.

"The finance commission has also earmarked Rs 4400 crore for local industry to help reduce pollution at the national level,"Yadav told the house, as per news agency PTI.

In Delhi where there is a lot of pollution, the Eastern Express highway and Western Express highway have been constructed to help minimise fuel consumption in vehicles, he told the members.

In his written reply, the minister said the Government has launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a national level strategy to reduce air pollution levels across the country.

"City Specific Clean Air Action Plans have been prepared and rolled out for implementation in 132 non-attainment and million plus cities.

"Rs 375.44 crores have been sanctioned to nonattainment cities under NCAP for initiating actions such as expansion of monitoring network, construction and demolition waste management facilities, non-motorised transport infrastructure, green buffers, mechanical street sweepers, composting units," he said in his written reply.

"As per the Fifteenth Finance commission recommendations 4400 crores have been released in the Budget of FY 2020-21 to tackle the burgeoning problem of air pollution for 42 urban centres with a million-plus population. Further, an amount of Rs 12,139 crores has been allocated for improvement of air quality for the award period FY 2021-26," he said.

(With PTI Inputs)