abatement of pollution

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Control of Pollution

Introduction

In the present scenario of increasingurbanization, industrial and vehicular pollution aswell as pollution of water courses due to dischargeof effluents without confirming to theenvironmental norms and standards, the concernfor environmental quality has become an issue ofconcern. Realizing this trend of pollution in variousenvironmental media like air and water, soil etc.,the Ministry adopted policy for abatement ofpollution, which provides multi-pronged strategiesin the form of regulations, legislations, agreements,fiscal incentives and other measures to prevent andabate pollution. To give effect to various measuresand policies for pollution control, various steps havebeen initiated which include stringent regulations,development of environmental standards, controlof vehicular pollution, spatial environmentalplanning etc.

Progress of activities

Progress of activities under severalprogrammes of control of pollution are as follows.These programmes are looked after by Control ofPollution (CP) Division in the Ministry.

Development of Environmental Standards

In order to abate pollution from varioussources, Ministry notifies general as well as industryspecific emission and effluent standards for variouscategories of industries under the provisions ofEnvironmental (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986. Basedon development of new pollution controltechnologies and their feasibility, these standardsare reviewed from time to time and new ones arenotified. During the year, standards/ guidelines inrespect of following have been notified:

✦ Emission Regulation for Rayon Industry

✦ Noise Standards for fire crackers

Charter on Corporate Responsibility forEnvironment Protection (CREP)

After a series of industry specific interactionmeetings, the Charter on Corporate Responsibilityfor Environmental Protection (CREP) was adopted

in March, 2003 for 17 categories of pollutingindustries and is a road map for progressiveimprovement in environmental management. Foreffective implementation of the Charter, eight taskforces comprising of experts and members frominstitutions and industry associations have beenconstituted. These task forces are meeting regularlyto monitor and to provide guidance to the industriesfor adopting necessary pollution abatementmeasures. A meeting of the Steering Committeewas also held to review the progress of the work ofthe task forces, wherein it was resolved that it shouldbe endeavour of the task forces to comply with themilestones through more regular meetings.

Environment Pollution (Prevention Control)Authority for the National Capital Region

✦ The Environment Pollution (Prevention andControl) Authority (EPCA) for NationalCapital Region was constituted under Sub-section (3) of Section 3 of the EPA on January29, 1998 vide S.O. No. 93(E) dated January29, 1998 under the chairmanship of Dr.Bhure Lal. The tenure of the EPCA wasextended from time to time, and at presentextended upto July, 2006 on January 28, 2003vide S.O. No. 99(E).

✦ The issues considered by the Authorityinclude environment related matters coveringvehicular pollution control, assessment ofoperations and handing over of CommonEffluents Treatment Plants (CETPs) in NCRto the concerned societies, monitoring ofaction plans for improvement of air qualityin seven metro cities etc. and in addition, thematters referred to it by Hon’ble SupremeCourt in its various judgements.

✦ EPCA is reporting the compliance status andspecial tasks assigned to it to the Hon’bleSupreme Court from time to time.

National Environment Appellate Authority(NEAA)

The National Environment AppellateAuthority (NEAA) was established under theNational Environment Appellate Authority Act,1997 (22 of 1997) to hear appeals in regard to

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restriction of areas in which any industries,operations or class of industries, operations orprocess shall not be carried out or shall be carriedout subject to certain safeguards under theEnvironment (Protection) Act, 1986 and for matterconnected therewith or accidental thereto. Theauthority is located in Jawahar Lal Nehru StadiumComplex, New Delhi and continued to functionduring the year.

Loss of Ecology (Prevention and Payments ofCompensation) Authority for the State of TamilNadu

In compliance with the Hon’ble SupremeCourt’s order dated August 28, 1998 in WritPetition (Civil) No.914 of 1991 viz. Vellore Citizen’sWelfare Forum versus Union of India and Others,the Ministry constituted the Loss of Ecology(Prevention and Payments of Compensation)Authority for the State of Tamil Nadu under theChairmanship of a retired Judge of Madras HighCourt vide notification SO 671(E) dated September30, 1996, to deal with the situation created by thetanneries and other polluting industries in TamilNadu. The tenure of the authority has beenextended up to March 31, 2007 at present.

Recognition of Environmental Laboratory underEnvironment (Protection) Act, 1996

The Ministry recognizes the laboratories inexercise of the powers under the Environment(Protection) Act, 1996. The environmentallaboratories carry out the functions entrusted to thelaboratories under the said Act for the purpose ofanalysis of samples of air, water, noise and otherrelated environmental parameters. During the yearthe Ministry recognized fourteen laboratories invarious places of the country.

Noise Pollution

✦ Noise levels have been a matter of concerndue to various activities, religious functions,festivals and related celebrations. The mainsources of noise pollution include industrialactivities, use of public address system,construction activities, use of generator sets,pressure horns and fire crackers etc. Keepingin view the increasing trend in noise levels,

Ministry has issued various regulations fromtime to time to control noise pollution inambient air, at source and at manufacturingstage. To control community noise, NoisePollution (Regulation and Control) Rules,2000 were issued in February, 2000, whichmakes it mandatory for local authorities tocontrol noise levels in their respective areas.

✦ In civil Writ Petition No. 72 of 1998regarding noise pollution – implementationof laws for restricting use of loudspeakers andhigh volume producing sound system, theHon’ble Supreme Court in its judgement ofJuly, 2005 has given detailed directionsregarding implementation of laws forcontrolling noise. Subsequently, referring tothe amendment of October, 2002 issued bythe Ministry in respect of notification ofFebruary, 2000 permitting the use ofloudspeaker or public address system duringthe night hours between 10.00 P.M. to 12.00midnight on or during any cultural orreligious festive occasions of a limitedduration not exceeding 15 days in all duringa calendar year, Hon’ble Supreme Court hadfurther observed that a limited power ofexemption from operations of noise rulesgranted by the Central Government inexercise of its statutory power cannot be heldunreasonable.

✦ In pursuance of these judgements and tocollect bench mark data, all the regulatoryagencies of the State Government/UnionTerritories have been advised to comply withstipulated norms and to draw an Action Planfor ensuring the compliance of the directions.The concerned agencies have also beenadvised to strengthen/establish environmentalcells at the State and district levels to checknoise pollution an also to undertake surveysin major cities specially before and after thefestivals to ensure compliance. Intensivecampaigns were also launched in print andelectronic media about deleterious effects ofnoise pollution. For creating awareness, mostof the State Governments have sent theirmonitoring reports of survey undertaken

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before and on Diwali day and the reportsreveal that there has been a reasonable successin arresting menace of noise pollution.

✦ The noise limits for Diesel Generator (DG)set up to 1000 KVA were notified in May,2002. After review of the preparedness by themanufacturers to comply with the standards,the time for implementation was extendedup to January 1, 2005. While the emissionnorms for DG sets above 19 KW and up to800 KW have been made operational sinceNovember, 2004, these norms for DG setsup to 19 KW have come into effect from July1, 2005.

Control of Air Pollution

✦ The air pollution and the resultant air qualitycan be attributed to emissions from vehicular,industrial and domestic activities. The airquality has been, therefore, an issue of socialconcern in the backdrop of variousdevelopmental activities. The norms forambient air quality and industry specificemissions have been notified. For control ofair pollution, with a view to initiate policymeasures and to prepare ambient air qualitymanagement plans, 321 Air QualityMonitoring Stations are operational coveringtwenty five States and four Union Territories.Out of these, on-line data display is availablein respect of 298 stations. Presently, only thecriteria pollutants namely; sulphur dioxide,oxides of nitrogen and respirable suspendedparticulate matter are monitored by PollutionControl Boards, Universities and ResearchInstitutes. Besides, additional parameters forother toxic trace matters and polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons are also beingmonitored in selected cities of the country.Automatic Air Quality Monitoring Stationshave been set up in Hyderabad and Bangalorefor continuous air quality monitoring.

✦ Keeping in view the monitored data availableon air quality, the Hon’ble Supreme Courtin its various judgements have identifiedsixteen cities namely; Hyderabad, Patna,Ahmedabad, Faridabad, Jharia, Bangalore,

Pune, Mumbai, Sholapur, Jodhpur, Chennai,Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi andKolkata as equal to or more polluted thanDelhi for which Action Plans forimprovement of air quality have been drawn.

✦ The CPCB has evolved a format forpreparation of action plans, which has beencirculated to all State Pollution ControlBoards/Committees. The action plansemphasize identification of sources of airpollution, assessment of pollution load andadoption of abatement measures for identifiedsources. Setting up interdepartmental taskforce for implementation of city specificaction plan has also been suggested.

Auto Fuel Policy

✦ In order to control vehicular pollution, a roadmap has been adopted as per the scheduleproposed in Auto Fuel Policy, which includesuse of cleaner fuels, automobile technologiesand enforcement measures for in use vehiclesthrough improved Pollution Under control(PUC) certification system. As per the AutoFuel Policy, Bharat Stage-II norms for newvehicles have been introduced through outthe country from first April, 2005. However,EURO-III equivalent emission norms for allnew vehicles, except 2-3 wheelers, have beenintroduced in 11 major cities from April 1,2005. To meet Bharat Stage-II, EURO-IIIand EUROIV emission norms, matchingquality of petrol and diesel is being madeavailable.

✦ Due to multiplicity and complexity of airpolluting sources, apportionment of

Fig 32. A view of fruiting in Jatropha plantation

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contribution to ambient air pollution fromthese sources is important for planning costeffective pollution control strategies. In viewof this, a study on “Air Quality Assessment,Emission inventory / Source Apportionmentstudies for Indian Cities” has been initiatedfor major Indian cities. In the first phase, thestudy would cover six cities viz; Delhi,Bangalore, Pune, Kanpur, Mumbai andChennai with focus on apportionment of fineparticulate matter (RSPM). A SteeringCommittee under the chairmanship ofSecretary (E&F) for overall supervision anda Technical Committee under thechairmanship of Chairman, CPCB to lookinto and to guide on the technical aspects ofthe projects have been set up. A commonmethodology for conducting the study hasbeen finalized with identification of technicalinstitutions for completing the study.

Industrial Pollution Complaints

✦ During the year, the Ministry received about130complaints from various organizations,individuals and NGOs regarding air, waterand noise pollution. Some of the complaintswere pertaining to discharge of effluents fromindustries like tanneries, pulp and paper,distillery etc. into water bodies withoutcomplying with environmental standards.Similarly, complaints of air pollution werereceived from people in the vicinity of cementplants, thermal power projects, brick kilns etc.These references were responded based on theenvironmental compliance status receivedfrom CPCB and State Pollution ControlBoards (SPCBs). The SPCBs, in certain cases,were advised to regularly monitor theenvironmental compliance.

Capacity Building for Industrial PollutionManagement Project (CBIPMP)

✦ The Ministry with the assistance of the WorldBank has initiated a Project on “CapacityBuilding for Industrial PollutionManagement Project” (CBIPMP). Theoverall objective of the CBIPMP is tostrengthen the capacity of National and State

Level Institutions for effective environmentalregulation, improved enforcement forpollution prevention and improved industrialcompliance.

✦ The project will support the implementationof the new Government policies thatemphasize enforcement, integration ofpollution prevention efforts and socialparticipation. The objective of the project isto strengthen the environmental managementcapacity of state regulatory bodies through a“learning-by-doing” approach and topromote investments in integrated pollutionmanagement which have a potential forscaling up at state level.

✦ The proposed integrated approach topollution management is premised on theview that a much broader and engaginginstitutional effort is needed which: (a) buildson a framework of regulatory incentives forpollution reduction; (b) promotes partnershipbetween public and private entities forimproved compliance; (c) facilitatesremediation of past environmental damage;(d) enhances public awareness through betteraccess to environmental information, and (e)introduces measures for reducingenvironment and health risks tocommunities.

Assistance for Abatement of Pollution

✦ Under this scheme grants are being providedto the State Pollution Control Boards/UTPollution Control Committees, EnvironmentDepartments, Central/State ResearchInstitutions, and other government agencies/organizations with the aim of strengtheningtheir technical capabilities to achieve theobjectives of the Policy Statement. Assistanceis also provided to North Eastern PollutionControl Boards & Pollution ControlCommittees as salary support for the technicalstaff. In addition, support is also extendedfor undertaking projects for Abatement ofPollution.

✦ During the year, financial assistance under

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the said scheme was extended to 12 StatePollution Control Boards/Pollution ControlCommittees. The Programme will continuefor the whole of the Tenth Five Year Planperiod.

Common Effluent Treatment Plant

✦ This is a Centrally Sponsored Schemeundertaken by the Ministry, for enabling thesmall scale industries (SSI) to set-up new andupgrade the existing Common EffluentTreatment Plants in the country. The SSIs arepolluting the environment through theireffluents but some of them are unable toafford installation of pollution controlequipment. In order to encourage use of newtechnologies for CETPs for existing SSIclusters of units a Scheme for financialassistance has been formulated as follows:

Pattern of Financial Assistance:

✧ State subsidy - 25% of the total projectcost;

✧ Central subsidy - 25% of the totalproject cost;

✧ Entrepreneurs contribution - 20% ofthe total project cost;

✧ Loan from financial institutions - 30%of the total project cost; (e.g. IDBI,ICICI or any other nationalized Banks,State Industrial Financial Corporationetc.)

✦ During this year, an allocation of Rs.4.38crores has been provided for providingfinancial assistance to the on-going CETPprojects and for new projects. Financialassistance was provided for the on goingprojects namely- Mahad, Thane-Belapur,Tarapur, Maharashtra and Veraval, Gujarat.One new Project for setting up of CETP atPalsana Gujarat was also provided financialassistance during the year.

Eco-cities

✦ The Eco-cities Project aims at improving theexisting environment and at changing thoseaspects that are causing environment damage.

The focus of the project would be onprotection of environmental resources likewater bodies, forests, etc, improvinginfrastructure and sanitary conditions in thetowns and creating aesthetic environs.

✦ The Eco-cities Programme was initiatedunder the Tenth Plan to bring in visibleenvironmental improvement in the small andmedium towns. The following towns havebeen taken under first phase of Eco-citiesprogramme to bring in visible environmentalimprovement:

✧ Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh)

✧ Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh)

✧ Puri (Orissa)

✧ Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh)

✧ Kottayam (Kerala)

✧ Thanjavour (Tamil Nadu)

✦ An Expert Committee has been constitutedfor the identification of the projects andapproval of Environmental Developed Plan(EDP) and Detailed Projects Reports. Theproject in Kottayam is aimed at rejuvenatingMundar River and Kacherikadavu Boat Jettyand Canal that have severe siltation andpollution problems. The Project in Ujjain isaimed at improvement around MahakalTemple and cleaning of Rudra Sagar Lake,which is highly silted and polluted withsewage, while the project in Vrindavan aimsat improvement of historic core of the townlocated around Rangnath Temple, the projectin Tirupati is for improvement of storm waterdrains in the northern, southern and westernside of the Gobind Raja Swamy Temple.Similarly, project in Puri is to improve aroundJagannath Temple, renovation of three of thereligious ponds, shifting of garages andautomobile workshop and improvement ofexisting solid waste disposal facility. InThanjavur town, the activity on ‘Renovationof old tanks ‘ has been proposed to be takenup to protect presently used and potentiallyuseable aquifers from further degradation andto facilitates the rainwater harvesting system.

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Industrial Pollution Abatement throughPreventive Strategies

✦ This Scheme is an amalgamation of the threeon-going sub-scheme viz. (i) EnvironmentalAudit; (ii) Adoption of Clean Technologiesin small Scale Industries, and (iii)Environmental Statistics and Mapping.

The activities undertaken during the yearunder each component of this scheme are:

Environmental Audit

✦ Under this component, various studiesrelating to preparation of sector specificperforma have been initiated. Project has beensponsored to the Central Pollution ControlBoard (CPCB) in this regard for developmentof environmental statements in the sectors ofsugar, pesticide, thermal power, cement,textile, iron & steel, tanneries,petrochemicals, oil refineries, pulp & paperand bulk drug industries.

Environmental Statistics & Mapping

Various studies under this component havebeen initiated through research institution,organisations, universities and State PollutionControl Broads, which are at various stages ofcompletion. During the year, funds were releasedfor the following projects under the scheme:-

✦ Techno-Economic suitability of Silt fromBeas-Sutlej Link, Projects in the manufactureof ordinary Portland cement by NationalCouncil for Cement and Building, Materials,Ballabgarh(Haryana).

✦ Sector Specific Awareness Programmes onEnvironmental Statements including wasteminimization, environmental audit andmanagement system for the industries andregulatory agencies by CPCB.

Development and Promotion of CleanerTechnology

Introduction and Objective

Adoption of cleaner technologies and cleanerproduction strategies is considered to provide abalance between development and environment

through economic benefits by way of increasedresource efficiency, innovation and reduced cost forenvironmental management. The grant–in-aidscheme on development and promotion of cleantechnology was initiated in 1994 with the followingobjectives:-

✦ Development and Promotion of CleanerTechnologies

✦ Development of tools and techniques forpollution prevention

✦ Formulation of sustainable DevelopmentStrategies

Activities undertaken so far

Since the inception of the scheme in 1994,activities undertaken include (i) Carrying CapacityStudies in various parts of the country namelyGreater Kochi Region, Doon Valley, Damodar RiverBasin, Tapi Estuary and National Capital Region(NCR); (ii) Natural Resource Accounting Studiesfor Upper Yamuna Basin; (iii) Life Cycle Assessment(LCA) Studies in Thermal Power Plants, Steel, Pulpand Paper and Cement ; and (iv) Other pollutionprevention and waste utilisation and managementstudies. Various activities under the scheme arelooked after by the Clean Technology (CT) Divisionof the Ministry.

Progress/Achievements made during the year

Life Cycle Assessment Studies (LCA)

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Study infour cement plants namely, Ambuja Cement,Kodinar, Distt Junagarh, Gujarat, ACC, Bilaspur,Himachal Pradesh, Rajshree Cement, Gulbarga,Karnataka and Ultratech Cements, Raipur,Chattisgarh were completed during the year. A LCASoftware namely “LCAiT 4.1.7” has been procuredfrom Sweden and has been demonstrated at variouslocations identified for evaluation of differentimpact parameters. Final Technical Report of theStudy titled” Life cycle Assessment for Cementsector submitted by National Council for Cementand Building Materials, Haryana has also beenaccepted. Observations and key findings of thisstudy will be placed on MoEF website soon.

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Field Demonstration and Development ofBamboo Based Composites/Panels

The ongoing project on field demonstrationand development of bamboo based composites/panels undertaken by Indian Plywood IndustriesResearch and Training Institute (IPIRTI), Bangalorewas continued during the year. Under this project,commercial production of horizontal and verticallaminates have been made using Bambusa bamboospecies. Construction of nine demonstration housesin north-east using these bamboo based compositepanels has been completed. IPIRTI is collectinginformation about the durability and feasibility ofthe Bamboo panel. The project is likely to becompleted during the current financial year.

Recycling of Marble Slurry

Under the ongoing project “Manufacture ofBricks and Tiles from Marble Slurry,” IndianEnvironmental Society, New Delhi have set up twodemonstration units at Udaipur and RajsamandDistricts of Rajasthan, with the aim of utilizingmarble slurry wastes arising out of marble cuttingand processing. Based on the successfuldemonstration of technology at the above twolocations, the project proponents have been askedto set up brick and tiles manufacturing unit utilizingstone slurry at Kota also. Awareness workshops werealso organized to promote the usage of bricks madeout of marble slurry. Two more demonstration unitat Kota have been proposed to be set-up during themonitoring committee meeting.

Bio-remediation of Railadevi Lake, Thane,Maharashtra

The ongoing demonstration project relatingto cleaning of Railadevi Lake in Thane District inMaharashtra using bio-remediation technique is inprogress and will be completed soon.

Biodegradable Emulsion Technology forincreasing Shelf Life of fruits and vegetables

The project has been sponsored jointly withMinistries of (i) Science & Technology, (ii) RuralDevelopment and (iii) Food Processing Industries.Pilot Plant for treatment of fruits and vegetableswith biodegradable emulsion has been set up at IIT,Delhi. They have completed the 1st phase of the

project. The Final Technical Report has beenaccepted with the condition that the toxicity studieswill be completed by March 2007.

Utilization of Anode Mud and Chips

This study titled “Utilization of Anode Mudand Chips generated in Zinc Industry for makingValue-added Products” has been sponsored toRegional Research Laboratory, Bhopal. Theseparation of lead and manganese contents presentin the anode mud sample is efficiently achieved byacid leaching. The out come of the project issatisfactory. The final technical report of this projectis awaited.

Development of a domestic unit for removingArsenic from Water

The study on the Development andDemonstration of Domestic Unit for RemovingArsenic(v) from Water undertaken by Central Saltand Marine Chemicals Research Institute,Bhavnagar, Gujarat envisages development andtesting of five portable units for scavenging arsenicfrom raw as well as chemically treated water to meetthe drinking water needs of a small family of fivefor a period of one month. Performance of resin inthe removal of arsenic under dynamic conditionshas been evaluated for treating surface waters anddeep well waters. The fabricated portable domesticunits have been installed at seven field location inWest Bengal. The efficiency of these field units arebeing observed. The final technical report isawaited.

Development of Adhesive from Bio-material

The project has been sponsored to IndianPlywood Industries Research & Training Institute(IPIRTI), Bangalore for development of adhesivefor use in the manufacture of plywood drawn frombiological materials like tannin from tree bark,cashew nut shell liquid and lignin obtained fromblack liquor wastes generated by Pulp and PaperIndustry. The material so developed will replaceexisting adhesives based on organic compounds likephenol formaldehyde and urea formaldehyde. In arecent Monitoring Committee Meeting it wasdecided to collect more information fordevelopment of bio-adhesives.

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New Projects

Fourth meeting of the Evaluation andMonitoring Committee of the programme metduring the year and recommended the followingthree new projects for funding.

✦ Environmental Pollution Control in Agro-based paper Industry by Implementation ofLignin precipitation System (LPS)Technology by ABC Paper, Distt. Hosiarpur,Punjab.

✦ Development of Air Pollution ControlPackage for medium Scale Lime Kilns byNational Environmental EngineeringResearch Institute, Nagpur.

✦ Design and Development of ComputerNumerical Controlled Eco-friendly WeldingMachine by Annamalai University, TamilNadu.

Waste Minimization

✦ Industrial Pollution Prevention strategiesinclude Waste Minimization with an objectiveto optimize the consumption of raw material,save energy requirement and reduce wastegeneration. This is achieved by utilizing theexisting production facility without changingthe operations in small and mediumenterprises in adoption of cleaner productionpractices. Financial assistance is also providedunder this Scheme for waste minimizationin small and medium scale industries forsetting up of Waste Minimization Circles(WMCs).

✦ Phase III of the studies on WasteMinimization and establishment of WMCshave been approved and awarded to NationalProductivity Council (NPC) to take forwardthe activities in other parts of the country.Funds were also provided for conductingawareness programmes by the DevelopmentCommissioner on Small Scale Industries(DCSSI), Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

✦ The implementation of the scheme hashelped in identifying the polluting small andmedium industries, evaluating the causes of

pollution and facilitating them to adoptcleaner production practices leading topreventive strategies. It has also provided aplatform for creating awareness amongst thesmall and medium industries for adoptingsimple waste minimization principle.

Taj Protection Mission

✦ As per the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s Order,the protection of the Taj Mahal is a nationalpriority for the country. In order toimplement various scheme for the protectionof the monument, the Planning Commissiondecided to provide additional funds to theState Government. The PlanningCommission approved Rs.600 crores on a50:50 cost sharing basis with the StateGovernment to implement various schemesin the Taj Trapezium Zone for environmentalprotection of the Taj Mahal. In the first phaseduring earlier Plan Period, ten projects wereapproved and are being implement by theState Government of Uttar Pradesh. Theseare:

✧ Improvement in Electric Supply at Agra

✧ Improvement in Electric Supply in andaround the rural areas of Agra andFatehpur Sikri.

✧ Water supply ( Agra )

✧ Water supply (Mathura – Vrindavan)

✧ Gokul Barrage

✧ Solid Waste Management

✧ Storm Water Drainage System(Agra)

✧ Construction of one part of Agra bye-pass

✧ Widening of Agra Bye-pass, and

✧ Improvement of Master Plan of Roadsof Agra City

✦ The Ministry has decided to have a post-evaluation study undertaken for 10 approvedprojects. Accordingly a study has beensponsored to the National EnvironmentalEngineering Research Institute (NEERI),Nagpur. The State Govt. of U.P. has beenrequested to prode the Detail Project Reports

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and status of implementation of the projectsto NEERI. No new proposal would beconsidered for financial assistance unless thepost-evaluation study undertaken by NEERI,Nagpur is completed and reviewed.

Environmental Health

Studies have been initiated for the collectionof baseline data regarding mercury levels ondifferent components of environment includingtoxicological, bio-accumulation and its healthimpacts. These studies are being carried out byNational Institute of Occupational Health,Ahmedabad; Industrial Toxicological ResearchCentre, Lucknow; Central Pollution Control Boardand Jamia Hamdard University and NationalProductivity Council (NPC). These studies willgenerate baseline data for taking interventionmeasures, if required for preservation ofenvironment and protection of human health dueto exposure to mercury.

Inputs from environmental health angle havebeen given to the Central Pollution Control Boardfor reviewing the existing ambient air qualitystandards based on health considerations. Theconcerned regulatory agencies have been advisedto take appropriate measures for the protection ofpopulation based on the findings of theenvironmental health studies, commissioned by theMinistry.

Central Pollution Control Board

Introduction

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)constituted on September 22, 1974 under theprovisions of The Water (Prevention and Controlof Pollution) Act, 1974. The CPCB undertakesfunctions as laid down in The Water (Preventionand Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and The Air(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.CPCB has been assigned following importantfunctions under both the Acts.

Objectives

✦ Advise the Central Government on anymatter concerning prevention and control ofwater and air pollution and improvement of

the quality of air;

✦ Plan and cause to be executed a nation wideprogramme for the prevention, control orabatement of water and air pollution;

✦ Co ordinate the activities of the State Boardsand resolve disputes among them;

✦ Provide technical assistance and guidance tothe State Boards, carry out and sponsorinvestigations and research relating toproblems of water and air pollution, and fortheir prevention, control or abatement;

✦ Plan and organise training of persons engagedin programmes for prevention, control orabatement of water and air pollution;

✦ Organise through mass media, acomprehensive mass awareness programmeon prevention, control or abatement of waterand air pollution;

✦ Collect, compile and publish technical andstatistical data relating to water and airpollution and the measures devised for theireffective prevention, control or abatement;

✦ Prepare manuals, codes and guidelinesrelating to treatment and disposal of sewageand trade effluents as well as for stack gascleaning devices, stacks and ducts;

✦ Disseminate information in respect of mattersrelating to water and air pollution and theirprevention and control;

✦ Lay down, modify or amend, in consultationwith the State Governments concerned, thestandards for stream or well, and lay downstandards for the quality of air; and,

✦ Perform such other functions as and whenprescribed by the Government of India.

✦ CPCB formulates minimum nationaldischarge standards for effluents andemissions and advises the CentralGovernment to notify these standards underThe Environment (Protection) Act 1986.CPCB also coordinates with State PollutionControl Boards (SPCB’s) / Pollution ControlCommittees (PCC’s) for enforcement and

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implementation of Rules framed underEnvironment (Protection) Act, 1986 such asHazardous Wastes (Management andHandling) Rules, 1989 amended in 2000;Bio-Medical Waste (Management &Handling) Rules, 1998; Municipal SolidWaste (Management & Handling) Rules,2000; Manufacture Storage and Import ofHazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989 amendedin 2000 and Recycled Plastics Manufactureand Usage Rules, 1999 amended in 2003.Besides, CPCB is also associated with andprovides support to various committees andauthorities constituted by the Governmentsuch as Environment (Prevention andControl) Authority for National CapitalRegion and the Water Quality AssessmentAuthority.

Progress / Achievements made during the year

National Air Quality Monitoring Programme

✦ Central Pollution Control Board is executinga nation-wide programme of ambient airquality monitoring known as National AirQuality Monitoring Programme (NAMP).The network consists of 326 monitoringstations covering 116 cities/towns in 28 Statesand four Union Territories of the country. Theobjectives of the NAMP are to determinestatus and trends of ambient air quality; toascertain whether the prescribed ambient airquality standards are violated; to assess healthhazard and damage to materials; to continueongoing process of producing periodicevaluation of air pollution situation in urbanand industrial areas of the country; to obtainthe knowledge and understanding necessaryfor developing preventive and correctivemeasures; and to understand the naturalcleansing process undergoing in theenvironment through pollution dilution,dispersion, wind based movement, drydeposition, precipitation and chemicaltransformation of pollutants generated.

✦ Under the NAMP, four air-pollutants viz.,Sulphur Dioxide (SO

2), Oxides of Nitrogen

as NO2, Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM)

and Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter(RSPM or PM

10), have been identified for

regular monitoring at all the locations. Themonitoring of meteorological parameterssuch as wind speed and direction, relativehumidity and temperature was also integratedwith the monitoring of air quality. Themonitoring of pollutants is carried out for 24hours (four-hourly sampling for gaseouspollutants and eight-hourly sampling forparticulate matter) with a frequency of twicea week, to have 104 observations in a year.The monitoring is being carried out with thehelp of Central Pollution Control Board,State Pollution Control Boards/Committees,National Environmental EngineeringResearch Institute (NEERI) and otherresearch institutions/universities. CPCB co-ordinates with these agencies to ensure theuniformity, consistency of air quality data andprovides technical and financial support tothem for operating the monitoring station.

✦ As per recommendations of Auto Fuel Policyreport, NAMP was strengthened in terms ofparameters and coverage. New Monitoringstations were sanctioned in cities likeChandigarh, Cuttack, Sambalpur,Berhampur, Tarapur Industruial Area, LoteIndustrial area, Hyderabad, Ramagundum,Navi Mumbai, Kurnool Visakhapatnam,Patencheru, Vijayawada Mandi Gobindgarh,Khanna Baddi, Kala Amb and Barotiwala.State Pollution Control Boards were asked tomonitor additional pollutants like carbonmonoxide etc. near traffic intersections. Non-operational stations were made operational.Monitoring of ammonia is being carried outin many cities. Monitoring throughautomatic continuous analysers is also beinginitiated in many cities.

Ambient air quality trends in various cities

The ambient air quality levels (SO2, NO

2 and

RSPM) of various cities are depicted through thefollowing graphs:

Implementation of Male’ Declaration

✦ To cope up with the issue of transboundary

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Fig 33. Trends in Annual Average Concentration of SO2 in residential areas of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and

Kolkata

Fig 34. Trends in Annual Average Concentration of NO2 in residential areas of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and

Kolkata

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Fig 35. Trends in Annual Average Concentration of RSPM in residential areas of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai andKolkata

Fig 36. Trends in Annual Average Concentration of SO2 in residential areas of Hyderabad, Bangalore,

Ahmedabad and Lucknow

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Fig 37. Trends in Annual Average Concentration of NO2 in residential areas of Hyderabad, Bangalore,

Ahmedabad and Lucknow

Fig 38. Trends in Annual Average Concentration of RSPM in residential areas of Hyderabad, Bangalore,Ahmedabad and Lucknow

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air pollution in South Asia, the “Male’Declaration on control and prevention of airpollution and its likely transboundary effectsfor South Asia” was adopted by the Ministryat the seventh meeting of the GoverningCouncil of South Asia CooperativeEnvironment Programme (SACEP), held onAugust 22, 1998 in Male, Republic ofMaldives.

✦ As part of the implementation of Male’Declaration, the first monitoring station inIndia to study the transboundary effect of airpollutants has been established at PortCanning, Sunderbans. Monitoring for wetand dry deposition is being conducted at thestation for the last one year. The annualNetwork Meeting of “Male’ Declaration onControl and Prevention of Air Pollution andits likely Transboundary Effects for SouthAsia” was held in Delhi from October 11-13, 2005. The Network Meeting was followedby Regional Stakeholders’ Meeting onOctober 14, 2005 and RegionalCoordination Meeting on October 15, 2005.Delegates from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka,Iran Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Indiaparticipated in the meetings.

Private participation in Continuous Ambient AirQuality Monitoring (CAAQM)

✦ As a follow up of decision taken by PlanningCommission, CPCB/SPCB startedcontinuous air quality monitoring in majorcities and critically polluted areas by installingautomatic air quality monitoring stations.Public-private participation was felt necessarydue to shortage of technical manpower inCPCB / SPCBs. Operation contract modelwill be executed in four cities namely Delhi,Lucknow, Bangalore & Chennai and BuildOwn & Operate (BOO) contract will beexecuted in another four cities (to beidentified). Each identified cities will behaving a network of three CAAQM Stations.

✦ A meeting was held with agents of variousmanufacturers of CAAQMS to assessPrincipal Suppliers’ willingness to participate

in the proposed project and also to get theirviews and subsequently detailed Terms ofReference (ToR) was prepared. MOU wassigned between CPCB and National ThermalPower Corporation (NTPC) in October 2005for execution of CAAQMS Pilot project(Operation contract) and in December 2005,for execution of CAAQMS Pilot project(BOO contract). Invitation for bid (IFB) wasissued for operation contract in all leadingnewspapers on December 5, 2005. Pre-bidconference was held on January 16, 2006.Last Date of Submission of Bid was January31, 2006. Evaluation of Part-I Techno-Commercial bids is in-progress at NTPC. Anamount of Rs six crore fifty lacs was released/ transferred to NTPC Ltd.

Networking of Continuous Ambient Air QualityMonitoring Station

✦ Internationally use of continuous AutomaticAmbient Air Quality Monitoring is widelyaccepted. In most of the countries it is therequirement to do air quality monitoringusing automatic analyzers and there manualmonitoring are done as a complement to online measurements. Thus, there is need tomodernize the existing National Air qualityMonitoring Network to Internationalstandard.

✦ It is proposed to develop Automatic AirQuality Monitoring Network and a three leveldata management & transfer system initiallyinvolving 10 identified cities whereContinuous Ambient Air Quality MonitoringStation (CAAQMS) are already in operationby other agencies.

Setting up of Continuous Air Quality MonitoringStations in 16 cities

✦ Hon’ble Supreme Court of India identified16 cities where air pollution is high anddirected respective State Govt. / StatePollution Control Boards to prepare actionplan to control air pollution. Accordingly,Ministry/CPCB decided to set up of 16Continuous Air Quality Monitoring Stations

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in these 16 cities to see the impact ofimplementation of Action Plan on AirQuality. The Capital cost of the station, Rs.80.00 Lacs will be borne by CPCB and theconcerned SPCB on 50:50 basis. The annualOperation & Maintenance cost of eachstation (Rs. 10.00 Lacs) will be borne by therespective SPCBs and networking cost of allthe 16 stations will be borne by CPCB.

✦ Parameters like Carbon Monoxide, SulphurDioxide, Oxides of Nitrogen, Benzene,Toluene & Xylene, Ozone, ParticulateMatters (TSP & PM

10) and meteorological

parameters will be monitored continuouslyat these stations. Rs. 40.00 Lacs per stationwere released towards CPCB share forMumbai, Hyderabad, Faridabad andBangalore during the financial year 2003–04,for Chennai and Ahmedabad during 2004–05, Jodhpur, Patna, Pune, Solapur, Kanpurand Varanasi during 2005-06. Lucknow andKolkata will be covered under the programmeduring 2006–07.

National Water Quality MonitoringProgramme

In order to perform the functions specifiedunder the Water (Prevention and Control ofPollution) Act, 1974, Central Pollution ControlBoard (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees (SPCBs/PCCs)

need adequate knowledge on nature and extent ofpollution control required in different parts of thecountry. Realising this the CPCB in collaborationwith concerned SPCBs/PCCs established a widenetwork of water quality monitoring. The presentnetwork comprises of 1019 stations in 27 Statesand six Union Territories spread over the country.The monitoring is done on monthly or quarterlybasis in surface waters and on half yearly basis incase of ground water. The monitoring networkcovers 200 Rivers, 60 Lakes, five Tanks, three Ponds,three Creeks, 13 Canals, 17 Drains and 321 Wells.Among the 1019 stations, 592 are on rivers, 65 onlakes, 17 on drains, 13 on canals, five on tank, threeon creeks, three on pond and 321 are groundwaterstations. Presently the inland water quality-monitoring network is operated under a three-tierprogramme i.e. GEMS, Monitoring of IndianNational Aquatic Resources System and YamunaAction Plan. Water samples are being analysed for28 parameters consisting of nine core parameters,19 other physico-chemical and bacteriologicalparameters apart from the field observations.Besides this, nine trace metals and 22 pesticidesare also analysed in selected samples. Biomonitoringis also carried out on specific locations. In view oflimited resources, limited numbers of organicpollution related parameters are monitored i.e.micro pollutants (Toxic Metals & POPs) areanalysed once in a year to assess the water quality.The water quality data are reported in WaterQuality Status Year Book.

Fig 39. National Water Quality Monitoring Network

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The entire water resources of the country havebeen classified according to their designated bestuses and a “Water Use Map” has been prepared.Through a wide network of water qualitymonitoring, water quality data are acquired andenables preparation of “Water Quality Map” ofIndia. Superimposition of “Water Quality Map” on“Water Use Map” helps identify the water bodiesor their parts, which are in need of restoration andwater bodies are identified as polluted stretches fortaking appropriate measures to restore their water

quality. Today almost all policies and programmeson water quality management are based on thisconcept including the Ganga Action Plan andNational River Action Plans.

Groundwater Quality Assessment

Groundwater quality assessment in metropolitancities

Realizing the importance of groundwaterquality assessment in urban areas, CPCB has

Fig 40. River water quality trends in terms of percent number of observation in various BOD ranges

Fig 41. River water quality trends in terms of percent number of observation in various FC ranges

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initiated groundwater quality survey in large urbancenters (Metro-cities). The study is taken up incollaboration with National Institute of Hydrology,Roorkee and Pollution Control Research Institute,BHEL, Haridwar. Study of 24 metropolitan citieswas completed and report on eight metropolitancities was finalised. Groundwater quality withrespect to compliance status with respect to drinkingwater standards (IS-10500, 1991) of the criticalchemical parameters such as Chloride, Totaldissolved solids (TDS), Nitrate-N, Fluoride arepresented and summarized in Figure 42-46.

Ground water quality assessment in 15 cities ofthree states

Groundwater quality was monitored at 15major cities in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan andChhattisgarh states selecting five cities in each state.Samples were collected from tube wells, hand

pumps and open wells, two locations in eachcategory covering residential areas, industrial areasand municipal waste dumpsites in each city. Thefindings are given in Table-14.

Development of Standards and Guidelines

Guidelines and Standards for CommonHazardous Waste Incinerators

About 4.4% of hazardous waste generated inthe country has incineration potential. Besidessegregated organic residues, highly concentratedeffluents such as mother liquors and toxic effluentsnot feasible for physico-chemical or biologicaltreatment also require proper disposal throughincineration. Incineration of hazardous waste frommany industries is a task that requirescomprehensive knowledge and skill in respect ofchemistry, thermal engineering and environmentalengineering.

Table-13. Water Quality Characteristics of various stretches of River Yamuna (Year 2005)

S. River Stretch Trophic pH Dissolved Bioche- Total FaecalNo. Stretch details status Oxygen mical Coliform Coliform

mg/l Oxygen Nos./ Nos./Demand 100 ml 100 mlmg/l

1. Himalayan 172 km from Oligotrophic Min 6.90 7.2 1.0 80 18stretch origin to Max 9.00 11.0 4.0 43,00,000 69,000

Hathnikund Av - 9.1 1.4 3,46,577 5,243barrage

2. Upper 224 km Mesotrophic Min 7.04 5.7 1 2,700 290stretch from Max 8.73 12.0 7 81,00,000 1,10,000

Hathnikund Av - 8.0 2.2 52,583 10,040barrage toWazirabadbarrage

3. Delhi stretch 22 km from Septic Min 7.00 0.0 5 17,00,000 2,100Wazirabad Max 8.21 3.0 35 19,00,00,000 60,00,000barrage to Av - 0.7 18.6 2,41,86,364 18,77,136Okhla barrage

4. Mixed stretch 930 km Mesotrophic/ Min 6.77 0.0 3 17,000 900Okhla barrage Eutrophic/ Max 9.10 17.3 39 26,20,00,000 52,00,000to river Septic Av - 7.1 11.5 1,17,19,422 4,45,090Chambalconfluence

5. Diluted 628 km Mesotrophic/ Min 7.46 5.7 1 9,000 1,070stretch River Chambal Eutrophic Max 8.68 15.4 10 32,70,000 88,000

confluence Av - 8.0 4.6 4,32,625 14,742to riverGangaconfluence

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Fig 43. Groundwater quality vis-a-vis Drinking Water Standards (DWS-IS:10500) in Eight Metropolitan cities (TDS)

Fig 44. Groundwater quality vis-a-vis Drinking Water Standards (DWS-IS:10500) in Eight Metropolitan cities (Nitrate-N)

Fig 42. Groundwater quality vis-a-vis Drinking Water Standards (DWS-IS:10500) in Eight Metropolitan cities (Chloride)

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Fig 45. Groundwater quality vis-a-vis Drinking Water Standards (DWS-IS:10500) in Eight Metropolitan cities (Fluoride)

Fig 46. Groundwater quality vis-a-vis Drinking Water Standards (DWS-IS:10500) in Eight Metropolitan cities(Total Coliform)

The Central Pollution Control Board studiedcommon incineration facilities that are in operationin the country as follow up of recommendations ofthe Expert Committee. CPCB further interactedwith the European operators of the incinerationfacilities / regulators / implementing officers forformulation of guidelines and standards forcommon hazardous waste incinerators in thecountry and finally published “Guidelines forCommon Hazardous Waste Incineration

Guidelines for control of fugitive emission inCement Units

It is generally observed that in most cement

industries the control measures adopted forcontrolling fugitive emissions are not alwayssatisfactory and as a result substantial quantity offugitive emissions are generated which spreadwithin and out side the industry premises and causesadverse impacts on human health and environment.Keeping in view the problem of fugitive emissions,a study on “Assessment of fugitive emissions anddevelopment of environmental guidelines forcontrol of fugitive emissions in cementmanufacturing” was undertaken and completed inassociation with National Productivity Council,New Delhi and IIT, Kanpur.

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Table-14. Ground Water Quality in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan

City Area Use Parameters

pH Conductivity TDS Alkalinity FC (No / TC No(μS /cm) (mg/l) (mg/l) 100ml) /100ml)

CHHATTISGARGH

Bilaspur Residential 7.05 –7.12 811 – 1173 588 – 1090 368 – 418 Nil 12 – 28Industrial 6.96 – 7.21 859 – 1365 640 – 1280 372 – 428 Nil 20 – 37Near MSW 6.69 – 7.01 328 – 885 378 – 590 138 – 332 2 37 – 48dumpsite

Raipur Residential 7.02 – 7.30 541 – 711 388 – 410 196 – 242 5 56 – 78Industrial 7.12 – 7.15 560 – 623 402 – 526 204 – 328 Nil – 3 25 – 42Near MSW 6.92 – 7.13 705 – 919 426 – 640 274 – 298 1 – 12 38 – 96dumpsite

Durg -Bhilai Residential 6.91 – 7.03 870 – 1290 552 – 1210 224 – 312 Nil 15 – 28Industrial 7.08 – 7.12 772 – 786 510 – 754 178 – 238 Nil – 1 9 – 18Near MSW 7.0 – 7.01 752 – 865 496 – 506 242 – 278 2 – 3 31 - 42dumpsite

Raigarh Residential 7.67-8.05 998-1142 642-706 196-272 Nil- 8-13Industrial 8.11-8.21 640-710 318-334 134-188 Nil-3 11-22Near MSW 7.96-8.03 452-469 238-298 174-206 Nil-03 12-20dumpsite

Jagdalpur Residential 7.31-8.01 390-630 312-346 94-138 Nil 15-29Industrial 7.87-8.21 360-407 238-264 116-154 Nil-7 11-56Near MSW 7.31-7.67 194-277 164-178 106-144 02-03 23-37dumpsite

MADHYA PRADESH

Jabalpur Residential 7.10 1593 832 296 Nil 7Industrial 7.02 1090 1074 162 Nil 21Near MSW 6.99 646 346 124 2 30dumpsite

Indore Residential 7.22 1621 1040 304 Nil 20Industrial 7.42 2019 1408 424 Nil 22Near MSW 7.44 979 598 204 2 44dumpsite

Gwalior Residential 7.43–7.46 957-1105 618-741 340-354 Nil-3 19-22Industrial 7.38-7.72 1063-1278 704-839 438-472 Nil-4 14-25Near MSW 7.35-7.43 638-991 413-632 256-298 7-11 55-37dumpsite

Guna Residential 7.19 – 7.39 759-1869 529-1299 282-354 Nil – 3 23-28Industrial 7.25 – 7.40 518-1557 329-1009 190-216 Nil – 7 10-41Near MSW 7.30 920 694 292 11 46dumpsite

Contd...

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Indicative Operational Guidelines on Utilizationof Plastics in Road Construction

Granite aggregates used in road constructionhave great affinity for water whereas bitumen hasvery poor water wetting property. Thus bitumenfilm is often stripped off the aggregates because ofthe penetration of water, which results in potholeformation. If polymer is coated over aggregate, thecoating reduces its affinity for water due to non-wetting nature of the polymer and this resists thepenetration of water. Besides, waste polymer-bitumen blend reduce the bleeding of bitumenduring the summers. Therefore, addition of wasteplastics, generally improves the strength of the road.The addition of fly ash to the polymer aggregatebitumen mix improves the strength of the flexiblepavement. It is also observed that the fly ash doesnot leach from this mixture. Above all, for 1000mx 3.5m road nearly 10 to 15 tons of fly ash isutilized. Process of road laying using waste plastics

is being implemented successfully for theconstruction of flexible roads at various places inIndia. Central Pollution Control Board preparedand published an Indicative Operational Guidelineson Utilization of Plastics in Road Construction.

Guidelines for evaluation and recognition ofEnvironmental Laboratories under TheEnvironment (Protection) Act, 1986

In order to provide infrastructural support forenvironmental pollution control activities theenvironmental laboratories should havecomprehensive infrastructure and analyticalfacilities, expertise for all groups of parametersincluding water, air, noise, hazardous waste, soil,sludge etc. Keeping this in view, the earlierpublished document has been updated and revisedunder Laboratory Analytical TechniqueSeries:LATS/9/2005-06 (Revised & Updatedversion). The revised guidelines for evaluation andrecognition of environmental laboratories has been

Bhopal Residential 6.59-7.21 321-942 196-614 128-380 Nil-600 05-2200Industrial 7.05 2000 1552 468 09 28Near MSW 7.03 1337 990 380 300 1900dumpsite

RAJASTHAN

Jaipur Residential 7.09 – 7.34 754 — 1854 422-1080 178 – 200 Nil – 02 08 – 32Industrial 7.40 – 7.51 477 – 482 264-276 172 – 224 Nil 12 – 20Near MSW 7.31 – 7.67 1629 – 3450 830-2172 294 – 336 04 — 08 36 – 64dumpsite

Udaipur Residential 7.48 – 7.54 1062 – 1224 608-724 348 – 368 Nil – 04 16 – 24Industrial 6.96 – 7.59 1095-9040 606-7244 364 – 384 Nil 12 – 32Near MSW 7.52 – 7.58 1157-2650 644-2106 452 – 512 Nil 20 – 240dumpsite

Bhilwara Residential 7.52 – 7.79 1059 – 2060 612-1786 272 – 404 Nil 08 – 96Industrial 7.45 – 7.78 1593 – 4770 884-3846 368 – 668 Nil – 04 20 – 44Near MSW 7.28 – 7.73 762 – 2700 480-1429 204 – 384 Nil 24 – 160dumpsite

Kota Residential 7.65 – 7.97 413 – 1699 218-1066 156 – 628 Nil – 04 16 – 24Industrial 7.42 – 7.43 594 – 1054 338-600 180 – 228 06 – 08 32 – 36Near MSW 7.39 573 318 184 02 08dumpsite

Bhiwadi Residential 7.20-7.35 1070-2090 840-1904 252-460 6-9 18-40Industrial 7.37-7.54 911-2000 532-1322 340-680 Nil-03 16-27

All values are in mg/l, except pH; FC = Faecal Coliform; TC = Total Coliform

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approved for its implementation in 135th BoardMeeting.

Procedure for Monitoring Ambient Noise Leveldue to Aircrafts

The air traffic is increasing at rapid pace inour country and it is expected that the ambient noiselevels around airports would also be increasing atthe proportionate rate. No procedure has beendeveloped for monitoring ambient noise level dueto Aircrafts and there is no Government regulationin the country on aircraft movements andoperations. The National Committee on NoisePollution Control has been exploring the idea offormulating suitable legislations in the country onaircraft/airport noise. As a first step, a DraftProcedure for Monitoring Ambient Noise Level dueto Aircrafts has been prepared by CPCB consideringprevalent noise monitoring procedure practicedinternationally and also based on the results of thedetailed noise monitoring conducted in and aroundIGI International Airport by CPCB. The objectiveof this document is to specify suitable requirementsand procedures for airport authorities to carry outmonitoring ambient noise level due to aircraftsaround airports.

Risk assessment in Oil Refineries andPetrochemical Complex

Petroleum refinery and petrochemicalcomplexes necessarily involve processing andhandling of large quantities of hazardous material.The risk may be reduced by good design, but theycannot be totally eliminated and therefore someevaluation of the risk has to be made in order todetermine its acceptability in a given location. Astudy carried out by CPCB recommendedguidelines for preparation of risk assessment reportsfor petroleum refineries and petrochemicalinstallations where flammable chemicals arehandled in large quantities.

Performance Evaluation of Turbo Mist EvaporatorTechnology

Some distilleries have recently resorted toadopting low cost evaporation technique called mistevaporators for concentration of spent wash. Thisevaporation technique involves spraying spent wash

in the form of mist into atmosphere over largelagoons through a mist evaporator so about 25-30%moisture is evaporated and the rest, along with itssalts, falls back into the lagoons. This results inconcentration of salts and sludge to levels neitherpre-decided nor controllable. Moreover, fall out ofthis evaporation technique over a very large areawas also suspected. Therefore CPCB carried out aperformance evaluation study of this evaporationtechnique at M/s Vindhyachal Distilleries,Pilukhedi, Madhya Pradesh during January andMarch 2006 to assess the extent of fallout of thesprayed mist on the surrounding area. Consideringthe extent of fallout of the process, turbo mistevaporator does not appear to be a suitableconcentration technique for distillery effluent.

Comprehensive industrial document for Iron OreMining

CPCB has taken up a project for descriptionof Clean Technology for iron ore mining anddevelopment of Environmental Standard andpreparation of comprehensive document.

Final report of the project has been prepared.It has also been planned to carry out fieldmonitoring of a few more Iron Ore Mines to haverealistic database.

Environmental Standards for bullion Industry

CPCB has prepared a ComprehensiveIndustry Document on Bullion Industry providinginformation on production, the processesemployed, raw material used, pollution generated,pollution control practices and proposed effluentand emission standards are under finalization.

Review of Effluent Standards for Soda AshIndustry

CPCB in collaboration with NationalInstitute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa conductedstudies on marine water quality around the SodaAsh industry located in Saurashtra region to assesthe impact due to discharge of waste water onmarine ecosystem. The draft report based on therevealed chemical and biological characteristics ofmarine water quality submitted by NIO, Goa hassuggested that the conditions are unfavourable upto 500 m. To mitigate the adverse impact, the

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effluent should be disposed off through diffusersystem at the depth of 5 m below low tide levels ateffluent velocity of > 3 m/sec and with suitableconcentration of suspended solids level to avoidclogging in diffuser and pipeline.

Review of protocol under CREP for achievingZero Discharge in Distilleries

✦ The CPCB engaged Prof. R. H. Siddiqi as aconsultant under the GTZ project to reviewthe irrigation and composting protocolsprescribed by the Board visa-vis the currentpractices followed by distilleries in the countryand to evaluate the performance of newtechnologies for concentration of spent wash.Prof. R. H. Siddiqi submitted his report titled“Treatment and Utilization of Spent Washfrom Distilleries- A review of current practicesfor achieving zero discharge in surface waters”in November, 2005.

✦ The report suggests that TDS and chloridesvalue will control the dilution rate of spentwash for its use in irrigation. Based onpractical values of TDS, sodium, chloridesand BOD it has been suggested that a 12-15-fold dilution may be required in case offerti-irrigation. It has been observed thatdischarge of effluents having the prescribedquality may result in concentration of saltsin the soil. Further, the report emphasizesconsideration of salt balance and annual saltleaching rates in various types of soils andclimatic zones while reviewing the protocolso that problem of salinity and alkalinity donot develop with continuous use of spentwash for irrigation.

Review of Environmental Statements andawareness programmes for Industries

✦ In order to assess Environmental Statements,a project “Review of EnvironmentalStatements Submitted by the Industries” isbeing carried out by the Central PollutionControl Board (CPCB). In this project,review of environmental statements for 10sectors (sugar, thermal power, petrochemical,oil refinery, textile, cement, Iron & Steel,

pesticide, pulp & paper and tannery) has beencompleted. The out come of the exercise hasbeen utilized for setting environmentalbenchmarks for attainment by the industriesand to obtain relevant informationconcerning the industries, sector wisemodified formats have been developed. Asimilar exercise will be done for other sectorsalso to promote systematic improvement.

✦ Awareness programmes for the industrialistsand regulatory officials have been organisedfor sugar, petrochemical, oil refinery, thermalpower, Integrated Iron & steel, pesticide,cement and textile industries so that industriesare made aware of the requirement ofproviding appropriate data/information in theenvironmental statements to act as a pro-active tool for self-examination of the industryitself to reduce/minimise pollution byadopting process modifications, recycling andreuse of the resources. This programme hasbeen designed to give an overall idea abouthow to fill the modified environmentalstatement formats and how to evaluate orprocess the information provided in theenvironmental statements submitted by theindustries to the State Boards, etc.

Emission standard for Bulk Drug Industry

The bulk drug industries mostly adopt batchprocess to manufacture pharmaceutical products.Due to diversity in manufacturing processes, theenvironmental problems associated are complex.CPCB has initiated a study to identify the emissionsources and to develop air emission standards forbulk drug industry.

Effluent and emission standards for basic OrganicChemicals Industry

A project was undertaken by CentralPollution Control Board (CPCB) to developemission standards and to review effluent standardsfor basic organic chemicals manufacturingindustries by engaging the Indian Institute ofChemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad. About160 chemicals falls under the basic organicchemicals group, which are produced by about 190

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industrial units in the country. So far in-depthstudies have been conducted in 13 industries andabout 56 chemical products have been covered.Further in-depth studies are under progress. Thedata and information collected are being processedfor drawing inferences in order to arrive at suitablestandards for this industry sector.

Guidelines for industry specific Chemical WasteIncinerators

CPCB has initiated a project for thedevelopment of standards for individual industryspecific chemical waste incinerators. A two-dayworkshop on chemical waste incineration wasorganized in collaboration with German TechnicalCooperation (GTZ) under ASEM programme atDelhi during April 28-29, 2005 to discuss variousissues to be addressed and to interact with nodalofficers of SPCBs in accomplishing in-depthstudies. So far in-depth studies have been conductedfor six incinerators (three individual industryincinerators and three common hazardous wasteincinerators). The study is under progress.

Environmental Research Activities

Monitoring in arsenic affected areas in WestBengal and evaluation of arsenic removaltechnologies being adopted

✦ The extension of arsenic affected areas andincreased human exposure to arsenic throughgroundwater has become a major concern inWest Bengal and Bihar. In rural areas of WestBengal, out of state rural population of577.35 lakh (2001 census), 160.97 lakhpeople, i.e. 28%, are affected by arsenicpollution in ground water. 75 blocks out of341 blocks in the state are affected with theproblem. In urban areas out of 224.86 lakhurban population, 120 lakh people, i.e. 53%,are under the threat of arsenic contamination.Presently, emphasis has been given ontreatment of groundwater by adoptingdifferent technologies as a short-term measureto solve the crisis of arsenic free water.

✦ Central Pollution Control Board is regularlymonitoring tube wells water, pond water, dugwell water, sediment, soil to assess the level

of contamination and prevailing status ofwater quality in terms of pH, conductivity,calcium, magnesium, alkalinity, chloride,nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, fluoride, sulfide,sulfate, iron, manganese, zinc etc in theaffected areas and also evaluated performanceof Arsenic Removal Units (ARU) installed indifferent locations.

✦ Though arsenic problem in West Bengal hastaken epidemic proportions, the problem maybe solved to great extent giving emphasis onminimum use of groundwater, developingand utilizing other surface water resources(dams, pond, lake, rivulet etc) and supplyingpiped water supply from rivers to the arsenicaffected areas wherever techno-economicfeasible.

Development of technologies for pollution controlin selected drugs manufacturing units –Paracetamol, a case study

✦ Paracetamol manufacturing is reserved forsmall sector in India and more than 60manufacturers having installed capacity of20000 ton produce about 15000 tonparacetamol annually. Nearly 75% of themanufacturers are located in Andhra Pradeshand Gujarat, having 60% of the total capacity.

✦ Paracetamol is produced from para-nitro-phenol using iron-acid reduction forhydrogenation that results in huge amountof hazardous waste generation. CPCB carriedout a study to explore cleaner technologyoptions for paracetomol manufacturing sothat the effluent, emission and hazardouswaste generation can be minimised.

✦ Based on the study carried out, it is concludedthat the cost of production with phenol routeis higher than that of p-nitrochlorobenzeneroute while the technology for 4-hydroxyacetophenone route is not availableand its financial viability is not known.Nitrobenzene route can be followed only forlarger plant size. The study brought outfollowing modifications in the existingprocess route:

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✧ Replacement of iron-acid reduction bycatalytic hydrogenation to eliminategeneration of iron sludge

✧ Stepwise catalytic hydrogenation andacetylation to eliminate use of acids

✧ Addition of borate in hydrolysis stepto reduce undesirable by-products andload on effluent treatment, and toimprove purity of product

✧ Use of activated carbon for pre-treatment with sulphite solution

Prospects of use of Natural Dyes in India

Many synthetic dyes have been found to bepotentially carcinogenic whereas, natural dyes aremanufactured through eco-friendly processes basedon abundantly available natural products like plants,animals and minerals. Textile manufacturers havenot yet seen an incentive to switch to natural dyes,which are more expensive than synthetic ones.CPCB carried out a study focused on the status ofnatural dyes in India, its technology, standards, andmarket prospects both domestic and internationalas well as policy support required for promotingthese eco-friendly products. The study includedidentification of natural dyes, which can replaceharmful synthetic dyes, e.g. Carmine can replaceFD & Red3 in food, used for cosmetic industry,food, drugs and medicines and textile sector.

Ground Water remediation in Kanpur

CPCB has taken up a three-year project onGroundwater remediation in Noraiakheda area ofKanpur in collaboration with Industrial ToxicologyResearch Centre (ITRC), Lucknow, NationalGeological Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabadand IIT Kanpur. The first year activities werecompleted with execution of all the identifiedworks. The entire study area was investigated forrevealing subsurface hydro-geologicalcharacteristics. The findings of project during 1st

year are to be utilized in evaluation of variousoptions for remediation of hexavalent chromium.The Pilot Study based on “Bio-Remediation” hadalready begun under technical support from GZA-USA expertise. During the pilot study the ElectronDonor Compound (EDC) was injected into the

polluted strata for chemical transformation ofhexavalent chromium. The study shall continue tillJune 2006. Other major activities completed in thefirst year include:

✦ Evaluation of a range of site-specific aquifercharacteristics

✦ Inventory of groundwater balance

✦ Monitoring for surface contours withreference to the Mean Sea Level (MSL)

✦ Monitoring of fresh water canal,

✦ Identification of watershed boundaries

Testing and validation of BOD Biosensor

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) testtake three to five days time. CPCB in collaborationwith Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology(IGIB), CSIR, Delhi has developed a Biosensor forrapid BOD test. The technique involves selectionof suitable microbial composition for usingBiosensor so as to degrade the wide range of wastes.In this endeavor, samples from brewery and dairy(untreated and treated) were tested extensively andthe results obtained using BOD Biosensor werefound similar to conventional BOD test (BOD

5 at

20oC). The data are statistically tested and goodcorrelation was found between these two results.The work is in progress for extensive testing usinglarge variety of wastewater samples.

Air Pollution source Apportionment Studies

The “Auto Fuel Policy” document submittedto Govt. of India by Dr. Mashelkar Committeeidentified the “knowledge gap” in the area of airpollution source apportionment. Therefore airpollution source apportionment studies have beeninitiated in six major cities with participation of oilcompanies, leading research institutes, Central &State Pollution Control Boards and the Ministry.Among the pollutants, total suspended particulatematter (SPM) is the primary irritants but do nothave much relevance for direct health consequencesif compared with its respirable fractions (PM

10 and

PM2.5

). The main focus of this study is thereforeon characterisation and apportionment of PM

10

with limited exercises on PM2.5

to have a betterunderstanding and correlation between these two

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fractions at source and receptor.

The study objectives are:

✦ To profile baseline Ground LevelConcentration (GLC) of air pollutants indifferent parts including source specific “hotspots” viz. Kerbsides, industrial zones, etc.

✦ To develop “Emission Factors” (EF) fordifferent categories of pertinent sources withdue consideration to local variance in fuelquality, technology, size and vintage ofsources, control systems, etc. The factor shallcover both fugitive as well as tail pipeemissions.

✦ To inventorise the pollution loads fromvarious sources for their spatial and temporaldistribution in the cities covered under thisproject.

✦ To profile the source emission characteristicsof different possible sources.

✦ To conduct source apportionment studies andprioritize the source categories for evolvingmitigation strategies.

✦ To assess the impact of sources on ambientair quality under different management/interventions/control options and draw a

roadmap of short term and long termmeasures as considered appropriate and costeffective to ensure “Cleaner air in urbanareas”.

Characterization and application of municipalsolid waste compost

✦ A project taken up by Central PollutionControl Board with Indian AgricultureResearch Institute (IARI) studied the safe andbeneficial use of Municipal Solid Waste(MSW) compost and sewage sludge inagriculture vis-à-vis its environmental impactsbased on extensive experimentations and areview of the scientific literature. Under theproject, detailed studies on characterizationof compost quality and its application onagricultural crops. Seven compost plants werestudied for characterization of compostquality.

✦ It has been observed that the growth attributesof wheat/ maize and vegetable crops viz., plantheight, number of cobs/tillers/m2, dry matterproduction and leaf area index, were increaseddue to supply of nitrogen throughcombination of different doses of urea withcompost / sewage sludge.

Fig 47. A typical particle size - mass fraction diagram for particulatematter in urban air

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Activities in Hazardous Waste Management

✦ A two-day workshop was organized at NewDelhi in association with GTZ-ASEM,during August 11-12, 2005 wherein GTZexperts shared their experience with regardto German regulations concerning hazardouswaste dump sites, assessment of dumpsitesand their remediation. Officials from Stateand Central Pollution Control Boards, CPCBand Ministry attended the workshop.German guidelines for assessment andremediation of dumpsites/contaminated sitesand European legislations concerningdumpsites/contaminated sites were circulatedto the participants.

✦ In order to strengthen the technicalcapabilities of SPCBs/PCCs, in first phase, atraining programme for EnvironmentalEngineer/Senior Scientific Officer levelofficers on “Assessment of dump sites andpreparation of rehabilitation plans” has beenorganized during March 06-10, 2006 atBangalore and wherein the officials of StatePollution Control Boards made presentationson the assessment so far made and feed backfrom the experts from GTZ-ASEM weremade available so as to take further necessaryby the SPCBs. Second phase of the trainingprogramme is to be organized in Germanyshortly.

✦ Issues regarding the status on identificationof dump sites, their assessment andpreparation of rehabilitation plans and theprojects on management of hazardous wastesproposed to be taken up under World Bankassistance including the component onremediation of contaminated sites and furthercourse of action to be taken were alsodiscussed in 52

nd Conference of the

Chairpersons and Member Secretaries of StatePollution Control Boards and PollutionControl Committees held at Mumbai onJanuary 05,2006.

✦ In the afore said conference, the SPCBs/PCCs

have been advised to complete assessment ofdump sites and also to prioritize for thepurpose of remediation and for considerationunder World Bank Assistance Programme, bySeptember 2006 and also to draw up the planswith financial estimates for immediatemeasures that may be required to stop furtherenvironmental damage as well as preparationof full scale rehabilitation plans with detailedestimation of cost of remediation and to sendthe reports to CPCB, by December 2006.

✦ The decisions taken in the aforesaidconference were communicated to theSPCBs/PCCs for taking necessary action.

Preparation of guidance documents for hazardouswaste management, industry sector-wise

✦ Study for the preparation of guidancedocument for hazardous waste managementwas taken up through Orissa State PollutionControl Board for industrial sectors such asiron & steel, aluminium, sodium dichromate& galvanising process. The objective of thestudy is the “Identification of hazardous wastestreams, its characterization and recovery &recycling options”. The study for aluminium& sodium dichromate manufacturing sectorshas been completed & the report is underfinalisation. The study pertaining to othersectors (Iron & steel and Galvanising) is underprogress.

✦ Separately, study for preparation of guidancedocument for Pesticide Sector was taken-upand completed through National ChemicalLaboratory (NCL), Pune which covers 12pesticide products. The study is furthercontinued for additional 12 products such asDDT, Dichlorovos, Phorate, Phosphamidon,Quinalphos, Lindane, Methyl parathion,Mancozeb, 2-4 D, Isoproturon underinsecticides, fungicides, herbicides &weedicides group of pesticides, foridentification of hazardous waste streams, itscharacterization and recovery/recyclingoptions. The study is under progress.

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Activities under Water Quality AssessmentAuthority (WQAA)

Training of scientists of CWC

✦ Ministry has issued a notification(Notification No. S.O.583 (E)) in exercise ofpowers conferred by sub-section (1) and (3)of Section 3 of the Environment (Protection)Act, 1986 in the Gazette of India dated 22June 2001, constituting the Water QualityAssessment Authority (WQAA) with effectfrom 29

th May 2001, The WQAA is

responsible for standardization of methods forwater quality monitoring and to ensurequality of data generation.

✦ CPCB also extended the support andorganized two training programmes to train30 scientists of Central Water Commissionto develop the skill for bacteriological analysisof water samples. CPCB appraised the WaterQuality Monitoring Committee (WQMC)about the status of operation andmaintenance CETPs and STPs in the countryand prepared an Approach Paper onmanagement of water quality in the country.

Communication of Uniform Protocol to SPCB

The Ministry notified Uniform Protocol onwater quality monitoring under Water QualityAssessment Authority on June 17, 2005 to maintainuniformity in the procedure for water qualitymonitoring mechanism by all monitoring agencies,departments, Pollution Control Boards and suchother agencies so that water related action plansmay be drawn up on the basis of reliable data. Thenotified protocol was discussed in the StrategyWorkshop for State Water Quality ReviewCommittees held on July 20-21, 2005. Inaccordance with the communication received fromthe Ministry and as a follow up of the workshop,the copies of the notified protocol were circulatedto State Pollution Control Boards.

Management of Hazardous Substances

Introduction and Objectives

The Hazardous Substances ManagementDivision (HSMD) in the Ministry is responsible

for planning, overseeing and implementation of thepolicies and programmes on the management ofhazardous substances and chemical emergencies.The mandate of this Division is to promote safetyin the management and use of hazardous substancesincluding hazardous chemicals and hazardouswastes with an objective to prevent and mitigatedamage to health and environment due tohazardous chemicals and wastes. The activities ofthe division can be grouped under three main thrustareas, viz., Chemical Safety; Hazardous WastesManagement and Solid Waste Management. TheDivision is also the nodal point for the followingthree International Conventions and the StrategicApproach to International Chemicals Management(SAICM).

✦ The Basel Convention on the Control ofTransboundary Movement of HazardousWastes and their Disposal. (Party as on:- since1992.)

✦ The Rotterdam Convention on the PriorInformed Consent (PIC) Procedure forCertain Hazardous Chemicals & Pesticidesin International Trade. (Party as on:- May 24,2005)

✦ The Stockholm Convention on PersistentOrganic Pollutants (POPs) (Party as on:-September 2005.)

The programmes and activities carried out duringthe year are as follows

Hazardous Waste Management

✦ As per the assessment made, the States ofGujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Naduaccount for the highest in hazardous wastegeneration in the country. A nationalinventory on hazardous wastes is beingprepared based on the fresh inventorisationof hazardous waste generation in the States/UTs.

✦ The legal instruments for management ofhazardous wastes are the Hazardous Wastes(Management & Handling) Rules (HWRules), 1989, as amended in 2000, 2003 and2004, the Biomedical Wastes (Management& Handling) Rules, 1998 as amended in

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2000 and 2003 and the Batteries(Management & Handling) Rules, 2001. TheCentral Pollution Control Board (CPCB) andState Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) andState Departments of Environment have beenentrusted with the responsibilities ofimplementation of these rules. The status ofimplementation of all these rules is regularlymonitored by the Ministry.

✦ The Hazardous Waste Rules provide for acontrol on generation, storage,transportation, treatment and disposal ofhazardous wastes, both indigenouslygenerated as well as imported. The Rules wereamended in May 2003. These rules are beingfurther amended with a view to bring in moreclarity to these rules and to streamline theprocess of implementation of these Rules.

✦ All hazardous wastes are required to be treatedand disposed off in an environmentally soundmanner in secured landfills as prescribed inthe Hazardous Waste Rules, under Rule 8 ofthese rules. Setting up of common Treatment,Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs) indifferent parts of the country was taken upon priority during the Tenth Plan period.Such facilities are built on Public-PrivatePartnership on Build Operate Own (BOO)principles. A scheme for providing financialassistance for setting up of TSDF has been inoperation for the same.

✦ The Ministry provided a grant to the tune ofRs.two crores for each of the facilities with a

proportionate contribution from the StateGovernment supplemented with additionalcontributions from the entrepreneurs andfinancial institutions. Financial assistance hasbeen provided for setting up of a commonfacility at Trans-Thane Creek (TTC-Belapur)) in Maharashtra, Ranga Reddydistrict of Andhra Pradesh, Ankleshwar andSurat in Gujarat and Haldia in West Bengal.During the year, financial assistance wasprovided to develop a TSDF in Kochi inKerala. The facility in Ankleshwar (Gujarat)has been commissioned and is in operationin full swing. Other states like Karnataka,Haryana, Delhi, Tamil Nadu etc. are also inthe process of setting up such facilities.

✦ A draft notification on the standards for thecommon hazardous waste incinerator wasfinalized to be notified under theEnvironment (P) Act, 1986.

✦ The Batteries (Management and Handling)Rules, 2001 were notified in May, 2001 toregulate the collection, channelization andrecycling of used lead acid batteries. Theserules inter-alia make it mandatory forconsumers to return used batteries. Allmanufacturers / assemblers/ reconditioners /importers of lead acid batteries are responsiblefor collecting used batteries against new onesold as per a schedule defined in the rules. Asper the rules the importers of new lead acidbatteries are required to take ‘one timeregistration’ and 184 importers have beenregistered with the Ministry till date. The listof registered importers of new lead acidbatteries has been put up in the web site ofthe Ministry and is updated regularly. Theimporters have been directed to file thereturns on the collections of used batteries tothe concerned SPCBs/PCCs.

✦ An expert Group has been constituted tofacilitate the Ministry in the implementationof the rules by involving various stakeholdersin the process and creating awareness amongthe public encouraging the environmentallysound recycling of the lead acid batteries. The

Fig 48. Secured Landfill at TSDF in Haldia,West Bengal

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group now includes experts in the field ofheath and economics. The first meeting ofthe Expert Group was held in November2006 to consider matters relating to effectiveimplementation of the rules and the role ofstake holders.

✦ An Indian delegation participated in theOpen Ended Working Group (OEWG) ofthe Basel Convention held in Geneva duringApril 3-7, 2006.

✦ A delegation comprising of an official fromthe Ministry and one form CPCBparticipated in the Asia- 3R Conference heldin Tokyo, Japan, during October 30 –November 1, 2006.

✦ An Indian delegation participated in theEighth Meeting of the Conference of theParties (COP8) to the Basel Convention onthe Control of Transboundary Movement ofHazardous Wastes and their Disposal was heldin Nairobi, Kenya from Monday November27 – December 1, 2006.

✦ As per the directions of the Hon’ble SupremeCourt in its order of October 14, 2003, inthe matter of W.P. No. 657/95 filed by theResearch Foundation for Science Technologyand Natural Resource Policy, against Unionof India and others actions have been initiatedto comply with these orders, such as actionagainst units violating HW Rules, NationalInventory on hazardous wastes,inventorisation of illegal dump sites ofhazardous wastes and preparation ofrehabilitation plans for the same, disposal ofhazardous wastes lying at various Ports/ICDs/Docks of the country, rationalization andamendment of Hazardous Wastes Rules2003, strengthening of SPCBs, CPCB andHSM Division of the Ministry etc.

✦ The Supreme Court Monitoring Committee(SCMC) on Hazardous Waste Managementconstituted by the Ministry in November2003, in accordance with the directives of theSupreme Court, has submitted its final Reportin addition to the Monitoring Reports thesehave been filed to the Hon’ble Court.

✦ Hearings in respect of W.P. No. 967/89 filedby Indian Council for Enviro Legal Actionagainst UoI and Others on Ground waterPollution and Soil Degradation in BichhriVillage, Udaipur (Rajasthan) due toindiscriminate disposal of toxic wastes, are stillcontinuing in the Supreme Court. TheMinistry through the Central PollutionControl Board has commissioned a freshstudy during the year involving the NationalChemical Laboratory, Pune for assessment ofthe present status of pollution at the impactarea of the Bichhri Village.

✦ The Biomedical Wastes (Management andHandling) Rules first notified in 1998 seekto regulate the management of wastesgenerated by Health Care Establishments ofthe country. Ministry, through the networkof CPCB and SPCBs/PCCs, ensures strictimplementation of the Rules.

Chemical Safety

✦ The Manufacture, Storage and Import ofHazardous Chemical (MSIHC) Rules, 1989and the Chemical Accident (EmergencyPlanning, Preparedness and Response ) Rules,1996 are the main instruments for ensuringchemical safety in the country. As per theinformation available, there are 1666 MAHunits in 24 States/UTs( 21 states & threeUT’s) in 263 Districts of the country . As perthe latest report 1628 On-site Plan and 166Off site Plans have been prepared. State levelCrisis Group have been constituted by allStates/UTs except Andaman & Nicobar ,Arunachal Pradesh, Daman & Diu, Dadar& Nagar Haveli, Jammu & Kashmir,Jharkhand, Lakshadweep, Mizoram,Nagaland, Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradeshand Manipur.

✦ A Sub-Scheme entitled” Industrial Pocket-wise Hazard Analysis” has been in operationsince the Eight Five Year Plan . Out of 263districts having Major Accident Hazard(MAH) units, Hazard Analysis studies havebeen initiated for 107 districts. Out of these,85 studies have been completed.

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✦ A Feasibility study on Vulnerability and RiskAssessment of Transportation of DangerousChemicals was initiated for 8 selectedstretches which are having maximumcongested traffic for transportation ofHazardous chemicals. The objective was toidentify the major highways in the respectivestates where the bulk of hazardous materialsget transported, identification of risk,consequences, mitigation measures includingpreparation of Disaster Management Plan,assess the status of compliance of theprovisions laid down in the Motor VehicleAct, 1988 sections on hazardous materialstransportation and to develop emergencyresponse procedure for accidents duringtransportation of hazardous chemicals.

✦ Financial assistance for conducting trainingprogrammes on Emergency Preparedness,Accident Prevention was provided to NationalSafety Councils, Disaster ManagementInstitute (DMI), Bhopal, AssociatedChambers of Commerce and Industry ,Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) andother state run institutions. The mainobjective of the programme is to effectivelyprepare, prevent and mitigate emergenciesarising due to chemical and to impress uponthe concerned people the necessity ofemergency preparedness and response.

✦ Financial assistance was provided forestablishment of an Emergency ResponseCentres (ERC) at Hyderabad. TheEmergency Response Centre would primarilydeal with chemical emergencies in the area.The ERC is also the Central agency in thearea for dissemination of technicalinformation relating to chemical hazardsrequired to meet chemical emergencies. Thecentre will also cater to transport accidents.

✦ Partial financial assistance has been providedduring the year for setting up of a PoisonControl Centre at Government GeneralHospital in Chennai.

✦ Ministry initiated a project on developing theNational Chemicals Management Profile for

India by UNITAR under the Indo-CanadaEnvironment Management initiative. Themain objective of the project is to develop anational profile to assess India’s nationalinfrastructure for managing chemicals, as animportant first step to strengthen nationalcapacities and capabilities for the soundmanagement of chemicals. Central PollutionControl Board was entrusted to implementthe project. Draft National Profile have beenprepared and discussed in two regionalworkshops held at New Delhi and Mumbaiduring October, 2005. Suggestions made bystake holders have been incorporated and finaldraft is being prepared for review andfinalization by National CoordinationCommittee.

✦ The Ministry continues to follow-up theImplementation of the Manufacture, Storageand Import of Hazardous Chemical(MSIHC) Rules, 1989 and the ChemicalAccidents (Emergency Planning,Preparedness and Response) Rules, 1996.

✦ A pilot study entitled GIS based EmergencyPlanning and Response System with respectto chemical accidents in Major AccidentHazard (MAH) installations has beeninitiated for the 10 States covering 22districts- NCT Delhi, Rajasthan, UttarPradesh, Haryana , Karnataka, Kerala, WestBengal, Assam ,Madhya Pradesh and Punjab.The objective was to help response agenciesmainly Central Crisis Group (CCG). DistrictCrisis group (DCG) and Local crisis Group(LCG), during pre-emergency state forplanning and rehearsing response to majorchemical disasters and also during actualemergency situations so that a well plannedresponse can contain the damage to theminimum. To ensure proper implementationof the software at district level, nine trainingprograms have been conducted involving themembers of the State Crisis Group, DistrictCrisis Group of the districts covered underthis project.

✦ The Stockholm Convention on PersistentOrganic Pollutants (POPs) has come into

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force for India on April 13, 2006. The FinalProject Brief of the Enabling Activity Projectto identify the requirements for developingNational Implementation Plan (NIP) toimplement the Stockholm Convention onPersistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) has beenprepared and forwarded to GEF for seekingfinancial assistance for the preparation ofNational Implementation Plan .

✦ An Inter – Ministerial delegation from Indiaparticipated in the Open-ended Ad HocWorking Group on Non-compliance and thesecond Conference of Parties of theStockholm Convention on Persistent OrganicPollutants from April 28-29, 2006 and May1-5, 2006 at Geneva, Switzerland.

Solid Waste Management

✦ The Municipal Solid Wastes (Managementand Handling) Rules, 2000, the Fly AshNotification, 1999 as amended in September2003 and the Recycled Plastics Manufactureand Usage Rules, 1999 as amended in June,2003 constitute the regulatory framework forthe management of solid wastes in thecountry.

✦ The utilization of fly ash by Thermal PowerPlants is being continuously monitored bythe Ministry. The utilization of fly ash duringthe previous year was about 51 million tonneas against a generation of 112 million tonne.About 18 million tonne of fly ash was utilisedby the cement industry. The rest was utilisedin the activities such as construction of roads,backfilling of mines, brick making, landfills,ash dyke construction

✦ During the year, the status of implementationof the Municipal Solid Waste (Managementand Handling) Rules was reviewed. Partialfinancial assistance for one project for thesetting up of a regional Municipal Solid WasteManagement facility in 12 cities and townsby Ahmedabad Urban DevelopmentAuthority in Gujarat was provided and theproject relating to development of a modelsystem on solid waste management being

implemented in Kozhikode city in Kerala wasreviewed. Review for providing partialfinancial assistance to demonstration projectsin Goa, Puducherry and Punjab was carriedout during this year.

✦ The Ministry continues to follow up theimplementation of the Recycled PlasticsManufacture and Usage Rules. As per theserules the SPCBs/PCCs are empowered toregister the manufacturers of carry bags orcontainers of virgin/recycled plastics.

✦ Review on possible amendments to theMunicipal Solid Waste (Management andHandling) Rules and the Recycled PlasticsManufacture and Usage Rules was carriedout.

✦ The Supreme Court Monitoring Committee(SCMC) on Hazardous Waste Managementconstituted by the Ministry in November,2003, in accordance with the directives of theHon’ble Supreme Court in Writ Petition(Civil) No.657 of 1995, to oversee thecompliance to the directions of the Court,held four meetings during the year. The sub-committees of the SCMC have undertakensix site visits during the period to variousStates to verify he status of compliance to thedirections of the Court.

✦ The Ministry is pursuing with the CentralPollution Control Board and the StatePollution Control Boards/Pollution ControlCommittees of Union Territories for takingtheir necessary actions for strictimplementation of the Bio-Medical Waste(Management and Handling) Rules, 1998.

✦ Training workshops for the stakeholders onBio-medical waste for effectiveimplementation of Bio-Medical Waste(Management & Handling) Rules, wereconducted in the States of Orissa and Keralaby the Multi Disciplinary Centre on Safety,Health & Environment, Bhubaneshwar(Orissa) and the National Safety Council ofIndia, (Kerala Chapter), Kalamassery (Kerala)respectively during the year.

abatement of pollution

Documents