NAAQS last revised in 2009, standards weaker than WHO guidelines

Who it concerns: The report concerns the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and other agencies responsible for air quality management in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. It affects the general public, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and delivery riders.

What the committee found

• The Committee found that National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are significantly weaker than WHO guidelines and recommended expediting their revision to align with WHO targets.
• The Committee identified gaps in monitoring, including the use of manual stations, and recommended upgrading all 59 manual stations to Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) and rationalizing their locations.
• The Committee noted that existing source apportionment studies are dated and recommended commissioning fresh studies with a mechanism for periodic updates.
• The Committee emphasized that air pollution is a regional issue and recommended planning and enforcement at the airshed level rather than the state level, including strict enforcement of the Graded Response Action Plan.
• Regarding vehicular emissions, the Committee recommended accelerating the transition to cleaner vehicles, phasing out end-of-life and diesel vehicles, and providing financial incentives like subsidies and tax benefits to address high EV costs.
• The Committee highlighted contributions from dust, waste, and stubble burning, recommending stricter enforcement of dust controls, zero tolerance for open waste burning, and increased support for crop residue management methods like pelletisation.
• The Committee noted that some thermal plants lack emission control systems and recommended that non-compliant units switch to cleaner fuels or be closed.
• The Committee recommended strengthening health surveillance, installing air purifiers in public institutions, and reducing or abolishing GST on air purifiers and HEPA filters.

Also in the document

• The Committee noted that NAAQS were last revised in 2009.
• The Committee stated that Delhi-NCR currently has 84 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) and 59 manual ambient air quality monitoring stations.
• The Committee noted a shortage of crop residue management machines during peak demand.
• The Committee recommended reducing or abolishing GST on air purifiers and HEPA filters.