Replying to supplementaries during the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, environment minister Prakash Javadekar said the air quality monitoring data for Delhi provided by Central Pollution Control Board indicates that the levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) exceed the WHO guidelines by a “factor of 7 to 12.”

The WHO published Air Quality Guidelines for Europe in 1987 and 2000 and issued a global update in 2005. India took into account the norms while revisiting and notifying the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, comprising 12 pollutants.

Mr Javadekar said “the data of air quality monitored by the Greenpeace in five schools of Delhi are exceeding and are in similar range”. He, however, did not name the schools.

He said the Delhi government has come out with long-term and short-term measures in February so as to improve ambient air quality in the capital. He said his ministry has asked for a time targeted implementation plan by March 31. He further said a comprehensive air quality index would be launched and monitoring stations will be set up on 66 cities having population of 10 lakh or more.