Pollution in Metro Cities CGD NETWORKS BUILT AND OPERATE ACROSS THE COUNTRY CNG AUTOMOTIVE FUEL INTRODUCED IN 10 CITIES

Rajya Sabha

Rapid urbanization & industrialization and abundance of vehicles have been major reasons of air pollution in metropolitan cities. Ambient air quality is regularly being monitored in 35 metropolitan cities as per 2001 census under the National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP) by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) along with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and the Pollution Control Committees (PCCs).

Ambient air quality data for the last 3 years has revealed that air quality is within the ambient standards with respect to Sulphur Dioxide (SO2). However, the levels of Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) are exceeding the ambient air quality norms in residential areas at 08 locations in Kolkata, Howrah and Delhi. The levels of Respirable Suspended Particulate atter (RSPM) are exceeding the norms in 86 out of 125 cities and towns monitored during 2008.

As per the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India’s dated 5th April, 2002 to phase out diesel buses by introducing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses in the National Capital Territory, the CNG as automotive fuel has been introduced in the cities of Mumbai, Ankleshwar, Vadodara, Surat, Kanpur, Barelly, Agra, Lucknow and Agartala apart from Delhi.

Under the Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Act, 2006, City Gas Distribution (CGD) Networks would be built and operated across the country. The priority for CGD is being decided on the basis of likely availability of gas through the pipeline by the Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). Separately, the Board is trying to ensure that a National Gas Grid is in place on a priority basis by identifying the gaps in the existing pipeline network for which the Board may consider inviting bids on suo motto basis so that natural gas is available across the country including metropolitan cities and is distributed through the CGD networks. However, the concerned State Governments are responsible for introducing/converting CNG buses in the metropolitan cities and to take steps to switch over to CNG.

The term green or eco-friendly vehicle is used loosely and denotes vehicles with low or zero emissions, fuel efficiency, etc. Vehicle manufacturers have recently introduced vehicles that run on electricity and hybrid fuel which are more eco-friendly in comparison to vehicles running on diesel or petrol. The Government provides concession in excise duty on import of components for CNG and LPG kits. Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment and Forests (Independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh replied in a written question by Shri Gireesh Kumar Sanghi in Rajya Sabha today.

*********

KP/