Air Pollution and Deaths: No Direct Correlation, Says Environment Minister

By Aayushi Sharma

On Thursday, the Central Government reported that no definitive data regarding deaths caused by air pollution exists. In a written response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Moefcc) Kirti Vardhan Singh noted that “95 out of 131 cities have shown improved air quality based on annual PM10 concentrations in the 2023-24 financial year.”

Singh clarified, “There is no conclusive data to establish a direct correlation between deaths and air pollution alone,” adding that air pollution is among many factors influencing respiratory ailments and related diseases.

Here are the points Singh mentioned:

• Health is affected by various factors, including diet, occupation, socio-economic status, medical history, immunity, heredity, and environmental conditions. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in January 2019 to enhance air quality in 131 cities across 24 states by involving all stakeholders. The NCAP aims to reduce PM concentrations by 20-30% from 2017 levels by 2024, with a revised target to lower PM10 levels by up to 40% or meet national standards by 2025-26.
• All 131 cities have prepared and are implementing City Action Plans (CAPs) through Urban Local Bodies. These plans focus on city-specific air pollution sources such as soil and road dust, vehicles, domestic fuel, municipal solid waste burning, construction materials, and industries. He stated that these 131 cities receive performance-based financial support for CAP activities.
• Additionally, funding for CAP implementation is mobilized through resources from various Central Government schemes like the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Smart City Mission, Sustainable Alternative towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT), Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME-II), and Nagar Van Yojna, along with contributions from State/UT Governments and agencies such as Municipal Corporations, Urban Development Authorities, and Industrial Development Authorities.

• All 131 cities have developed a Public Grievance Redressal Portal (PGRP) or helpline to address public complaints about air pollution promptly. Furthermore, they have established an Emergency Response System (ERS/GRAP) for handling air quality emergencies.
• The launch of the National Air Quality Index has provided a comprehensive and easily accessible system for monitoring air quality across the country, 
• Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Rs. 19,614.44 crores have been allocated to 131 cities for the period from FY 2019-20 to FY 2025-26. Of this, 49 million-plus cities/urban agglomerations are funded under the XVth Finance Commission air quality grant, while the remaining 82 cities are supported by the MoEF&CC under the Control of Pollution Scheme. So far, Rs. 11,211.13 crores have been disbursed to the 131 cities to implement their respective City Action Plans.
• A significant leap in fuel standards was achieved by transitioning from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards. This shift represents a major advancement in reducing vehicular emissions, as BS-VI fuels are significantly cleaner and more efficient. 

References:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2036732

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2036727

https://www.uniindia.com/no-data-available-on-deaths-related-to-air-pollution-centre/india/news/3247763.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9C95%20cities%20out%20of%20131,%2D24%2C%E2%80%9D%20Singh%20added.

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