National Green Tribunal notice to MP govt over rising pollution in Bhopal

The Times of India , Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Correspondent : RageshriGanguly
BHOPAL: After Delhi, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has served notices to Madhya Pradesh government, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and MP Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) for rise in air pollution and deteriorating air quality in Bhopal. NGT has sought replies from the respondents by February 3.

A petition filed by environmentalist Subhash C Pandey states that air quality is deteriorating due to vehicular pollution, open burning of municipal waste, including polythene bags and bio-medical waste, industrial pollution, open burning of bio-mass and agricultural residues, open construction work at sites, adulteration in automobile fuels and decomposition of hazardous waste.

Admitting the case on Monday, NGT central zonal bench, comprising judicial member Justice Dalip Singh and expert member DK Agarwal ordered MP government to provide details of action taken to stop air pollution till now and MPPCB to submit inspection reports of monitoring parameters under National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

The petition quotes ambient air quality data of Bhopal for the last six months monitored by MPPCB and National Air Quality Index (AQI) report by CPCB, which highlight that the quality of ambient air in state capital is very poor. Emission from automobiles is responsible for about two-third of air pollution in the urban areas, it said.

According to MPPCB's report (as quoted), amount of Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) in November, 2015, in Govindpura area was found to be approximately 10 times higher (476 microgram per cubic) than standard World Health Organization (WHO) limits (50 micrograms per cubic meter over a period of 24 hours). Similarly, it was nine times higher in Hamidia area and four times in Kolar area of the city. Ironically, MPPCB headquarter at ParyavaranParisar recorded RSPM 12.3 times greater (616 micro gram per cubic meter) than the WHO limit.

Even Micro Particulate Matter (PM2.5) was found to be many times higher in all five sampling stations. Maximum pollution was found at Hamidia area, 11 times greater (270 micro gram per cubic meter) than the WHO limit for PM2.5 (25 micrograms per cubic meter over a period of 24 hours).

PM2.5 at ParyavaranParisar, Govindpura and Kolar areas were found approximately eight times more than standard, which is again a serious cause of concern, petition said. Besides, hazardous gases like nitrogen and sulphur oxides (NOX and SO2) are also more than the prescribed limits in Kolar and Mandideep areas.

Meanwhile, AQI of ParyavaranParisar and AKVN office in Mandideep industrial area was 332 and 353, respectively in June last year, as per CPCB report. Report points out that AQI of more than 300 can lead to respiratory illness in people on prolonged exposure.

The petition has also slammed state government for not taking action against more than 80,000 diesel vehicles plying on Bhopal roads which are older than 15 years. These include diesel school buses, trucks, mini buses, auto-rickshaws etc.

The petition has sought relief from NGT like installation of online monitoring display system at all air pollution prone areas of the city, establishing CNG fuel centres, gazette notification from transport department banning vehicles older than 15 year old from plying, carpooling in government departments where maximum diesel vehicles are run, conversion of commercial and public buses into CNG and adherence to MoEF guidelines regarding construction activities.

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/National-Green-Tribunal-notice-to-MP-govt-over-rising-pollution-in-Bhopal/articleshow/50536708.cms
 


Back to pevious page



The NetworkAbout Us  |  Our Partners  |  Concepts   
Resources :  Databases  |  Publications  |  Media Guide  |  Suggested Links
Happenings :  News  |  Events  |  Opinion Polls  |  Case Studies
Contact :  Guest Book  |  FAQs |  Email Us