CHAPTER 14

OTHER IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES DEALT BY CPCB

14.1 ACTIVITIES UNDER EPCA

The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) for the NCR was constituted by the Central Government vide notification no. S.O. 93 (E) dated January 29, 1998. Central Pollution Control Board provides technical and administrative support to the EPCA. During the year 2003-04, EPCA held 30 meetings. Total number of meetings held so far is 256. Major issues taken up during the year are as below.

I.A. No. 179 Filed by Amicus Curiae

While hearing the matter, the Hon’ble Supreme Court on February 14, 2003 referred I.A. 179 to EPCA for examination of issues. The issues raised in this I.A. includes traffic congestion, number of three-wheelers, interstate bus terminus, by-pass goods vehicles, new and in-use norms for two-wheelers, pollution under control certificate and safety inspection of CNG buses

EPCA examined the issues raised in I.A. 179 and submitted its report in May 2003 to the Hon’ble Supreme Court which includes the following major recommendations:

1. New mass emissions standards

a. Union of India specifically Ministry of Finance be directed to implement emissions based tax for early introduction of new norms:

b. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways be directed to set particulate emissions standards for two-stroke two-wheelers to be enforced from 2005:

c) Direct Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to regulate total aromatics immediately in addition to 1 percent benzene already in place to reduce high toxic emissions from 2-stroke two-wheelers

2. In-use standards for two wheelers- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MRTH) be directed to:

- Notify effective and tighter PUC norms for two-wheelers immediately.

    • Notify simultaneously commensurate test procedures and norms for in-use two-wheelers to implement advanced inspection test procedures to replace PUC in a phased manner:

3. Emissions warranty

To implement emissions warranty more advanced vehicle inspection system will have to be adopted. This would also require comprehensive legal framework for enforcement. This should be defined as early as possible.

4. Fiscal measures to renew the old fleet and also control explosive increase in two-wheeler numbers in the long run:

- Impose periodic taxes on two-wheelers to make ownership and usage of old vehicles more expensive; and

- Periodic taxes can be imposed according to the mass emissions standards, these vehicles meet

5. Improve public transport to discourage ownership and usage of two-wheelers

6. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways be given the following direction

- For petrol and CNG vehicles notify tighter PUC norms immediately;

- Upgrade the PUC test procedures for petrol vehicles;

- Upgrade PUC test procedures for diesel vehicles immediately;

- MRTH be directed to notify loaded test procedures along with commensurate norms for different vehicle categories in bigger centralized centers to be set up in a phased manner in critically polluted cities like Delhi;

- Notify Particulate Matter norms and test procedures for in-use diesel vehicles;

- Notify improved in-use norms and test procedures for inspection of CNG vehicles;

- Improvement in the inspection infrastructure in Delhi; and

    • Computerise and rationalize vehicle registration system for effective enforcement of vehicle inspection programme.

Development of New Forest Areas in Delhi

In the matter of W.P.( C) No. 202 of 1995, the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its order dated May 9, 2003 directed EPCA to examine the possibility of development of forest and large tracts of land which have been acquired by the Delhi Administration and DDA and which are still lying undeveloped. EPCA examined the matter and submitted its interim report "Development of New Forest Area in Delhi" to the Hon’ble Supreme Court in April 2003. Final report was submitted in August 2003 which includes following recommendations:

1. DDA must earmark the area under forests – regional park, district and city forests – separate from the classification of "recreational area". This area must have limited permissible land use – that is only forests and green areas. This area must be 20 per cent of the land area of the city. This is the target that the Master Plan document also sets for the city. However, EPCA is concerned with the quality of the green area being set aside and is therefore, recommending that these measures be taken to re-categorise the green area in the city so that it is verifiable.

The recreational land use should include tree cover in neighbourhood parks, playgrounds, sport complexes etc. The category under recreational purpose must not be clubbed together with the area categorised as forests and green spaces.

2. DDA and Government of Delhi must take steps to ensure that there is an increase in real tree cover in different parts of the city – uniformly distributed across the city and not concentrated in a few parts as it is currently. The less than adequate green cover in different parts of the capital is a sign of environmental injustice as it deprives inhabitants of access to vital areas, which provide, well-being, recreation and help reduce the stress and pollution of the city. In this regard we would recommend that the agencies be required to submit a proposed plan with time bound schedules for the consideration of Hon’ble Court.

3. According to a survey conducted under the directives of the Delhi High Court, there are 508 water bodies in the city. These water bodies are important sponges for Delhi as they store rainwater and recharge groundwater. These water bodies must be protected at all costs. But more importantly, the catchments of these water bodies must be earmarked and protected as green area. Government of Delhi, MCD and DDA should be asked to submit proposed plans on the protection of these water bodies.

4. EPCA would like to reiterate firmly that DDA must implement its direction and take necessary steps to convert the 223 Hactares. in Vasant Kunj into a green area and declare as secure forest.

5. EPCA is of the view that no permanent structure for any residential, commercial, religious or institutional uses may be taken up in the flood plain of the river as the same may obstruct the flow of the river as well as create further pollution problem. Clearly, EPCA has not recommended tree plantations inside the normal course of river. If DDA is unable to protect this land – critical for the Delhi’s water discharge and flood management – then it should be transferred to the forest department. An assessment should also be done so that plantation of trees may be taken up without adversely affecting flow of the river during flood

    1. Recommendations on ridge

i. It is imperative that the area under the ridge must be finally notified as reserve forests under section 4 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927. The Government must be directed to give a firm time schedule for issuing the final notification

ii. In view of the multiplicity of ownership of land in the Ridge, EPCA would like to recommend the constitution of an autonomous and statutory Authority for the management of the Ridge. This body should be independent of the control of the State Government. A supervisory body of this kind already exists in the form of Ridge Management Board that was also constituted under the directions from the Hon’ble Supreme Court for overall management of the Ridge. This body may be reconstituted with representations from the concerned agencies and Delhi Government and be made statutory authority under The Environment (Protection) Act outside the purview of the State Administration.

iii. The Management Body must be asked to prepare an annual report on the status of the ridge. If necessary, it should have the funds to commission the national remote sensing agency for an independent status report on the state of forest cover on the ridge.

Infrastructure for CNG Refilling

EPCA reviewed the progress on strengthening of infrastructure for refilling CNG. During discussion with Indraprashtha Gas Ltd. it was informed that presently there are 112 CNG refilling stations i.e. 54 mother stations (18 for DTC), 20 on-line stations, 9 daughter and 29 daughter booster stations. Total installed capacity of the infrastructure is 14.86 Lakhs kg. per day against the target of 16.11 Lakhs kg per day set by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Actual sale of CNG in June 2003 and July, 2003 were 7.01 and 7.65 Lakhs kg. per day respectively.

At present there are 82127 CNG vehicles including 2612 DTC buses, 6537 .private buses, 4977 RTVs/Mini buses, 5268 taxies, 52252 auto-rickshaws and 10481 private cars. With the 112 stations in operation, current demand of CNG by these vehicles is met with no queues on CNG refilling stations.

RSPM Control in Critically Polluted Cities

The Hon’ble Supreme Court, vide its order, dated August 14, 2003 (Civil Writ Petition No.13029 of 1985), has directed that the Union of India and the States of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujrat, U.P., Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to draw a plan for lowering the RSPM levels in the city of Sholapur, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow & Kanpur, Bangalore and Chennai and submit the same to EPCA for its recommendations.

In response to the directions mentioned above, EPCA asked the concerned State Governments to submit their plan-of-action to control particulate pollution in the critically polluted cities and to make presentations before the Authority. Based on the information provided by the States, EPCA submitted its interim report to the Hon’ble Supreme Court in November 2003.

To expedite the preparation and finalisation of the city action plans by the concerned Governments, EPCA visited Lacknow, Bangalore, Chennai, and Ahmedabad and met with the Principal Secretaries and other stakeholders. In Lucknow, Chief Minister of UP was also apprised of the pollution problem and the need for taking remedial action. EPCA held a press conference in Bangalore.

EPCA submitted its final report in February 2004 to the Hon’ble Supreme Court. EPCA’s observations and summary recommendations in the final report were as follows:

    • EPCA has made its recommendations in light of spirit of the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court that the selected seven cities have very high level of particulate pollution and therefore need urgent and advance action beyond the minimum national norms and plans. Rapidly rising pollution sources like vehicles, the growing pollution load and its toxicity threatens to overwhelm the small efforts at pollution control in these cities. Most of the city action plans submitted by the state governments have stated very high contribution of the transport sector to the total air pollution load.

    • It is very significant that in the absence of an effective national action plan and air quality planning systems, the Supreme Court rulings in Delhi have become the model of action for other cities as well. Most significant among these is the gaseous fuel strategy. Others include phasing out of old vehicles, and improving vehicle technology and fuel standards. Though air quality planning is nascent in India and pollution source inventory inadequate, the precedence set by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Delhi demonstrates that action can be started immediately. Priority actions can be drawn up based on science and evidence of harmful effects of air pollution and lessons from global good practices. In the case of particulates it is just not the quantum but toxicity of particulates that determine the immediate target of action. EPCA is therefore of the view that the seven city action plans need to follow common overarching goals in the following areas of interventions:

    • Advancement of vehicle technology and fuel quality standards to achieve significantly cleaner emission levels.

    • Introduction and expansion of gaseous fuels programmes to leapfrog and achieve drastic reduction in particulate emissions.

    • Appropriate policies to check rapid dieselisation of small and medium car segments that are growing source of particulate emissions in cities. Otherwise, this may nullify the emission gains from moving public transport and commercial vehicles to gaseous fuels. Even two-wheelers contribute significantly high particulate as evident from data submitted by Kanpur and would require immediate regulatory intervention.

    • Control emissions from on-road vehicles with improved inspection and maintenance programme, more representative test procedures and greater manufacturers accountability (emissions warranty). Upgrade the PUC programme immediately based on effective standards and test procedures and rigorous enforcement to weed out gross polluters. Simultaneously, prepare a phase-in plan for centralized inspection centres with more advanced norms, test facilities and quality audit systems.

    • Augmentation of public transportation and transport demand management to restrict growth in number of private vehicles: As recommended earlier in report on IA 179 city transportation plans need to be effectively linked to air pollution abatement programmes.

    • Effective strategy to prevent fuel adulteration: EPCA would like to reiterate its recommendations to the Hon’ble Supreme Court on this matter. Make oil companies accountable for the quality of fuel at the retail end, improve testing procedures and fuel quality standards, make penalty effectively stringent, and initiate public broadcast of defaulting retail outlets.

    • EPCA notes with concern that 1% benzene petrol has been introduced only in a few cities so far. This is of serious concern in cities with very high proportion of two-stroke powered two-wheelers responsible for very high hydrocarbon emissions. Introduce 1 percent benzene petrol in critically polluted cities of India by April 2004.

    • Strengthen air quality monitoring and planning in cities: Develop capacities to monitor additional pollutants like PM2.5, ozone, benzene and volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. It is very important that the concerned state governments and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests undertake their own source apportionment studies, pollution source inventories, for future planning and monitoring.

Implementation of P.K. Kaul Committee Report

While hearing the Matter of W. P. (C) No. 914/1996 on March 24, 2003, the Hon'ble Supreme Court issued the directed that the EPCA under the Chairmanship of Shri Bhure Lal shall monitor the implementation of P.K. Kaul Committee report in the manner indicated in the action plan of the said report and as approved by this Hon’ble Court by its Order, dated 16.11.1998.

EPCA is regularly monitoring implementation of P.K. Kaul Committee Recommendations since 1998 as per the Hon’ble Supreme Court orders issued in the past. In compliance of the above directions, EPCA further reviewed the progress made by concerned organisations i.e. Delhi Jal Board and Ghaziabad Development Authority. EPCA also visited sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping stations, raising mains and other locations where work is in progress or proposed. Major findings and recommendations in its third report submitted to the Hon’ble Supreme Court during September 2004 are as below:

    1. DJB is responsible for collection, treatment and disposal of sewage in Delhi including Trans-Yamuna area. Though DJB has laid sewerage system, including sewage pumping stations to pump the sewage to sewage treatment plants, yet in most of the trans Yamuna area total sewage generated in sewered areas are not collected through sewerage system and as such finds way into storm water drains and cause unhygienic conditions.

    2. DJB has created 133.08 mgd sewage pumping capacity in command area of Kondli STP and 42.6 mgd in command area of Yamuna Vihar STP, but these STPs are not being optimally utilized due to reason stated above and also due to lack of interest/commitment to convey and treat the sewage. Though trapping have been constructed on most of the drains for collection of sewage and pumping to STPs. They are either not operated or operated at low capacity. Thus the sewage pumped to STPs is only 44 mgd though existing capacity of STPs is 65 mgd.

    3. DJB should ensure that total sewage generated from the sewered areas is collected through sewerage system and pumped to the STPs to reduce flow into drains, which are causing unhygienic condition. The concerned officers should be made responsible for the same. The sewage from unsewered area discharged through various drains should be trapped near the pumping stations and pumped to STP. Such trappings are existing at most of the locations which need to be operated. Additional trappings may be created, if needed. Thus the total sewage generated should be pumped to STP through various pumping stations for treatment and thereby only treated sewage should flow into the main drain. By utilizing Sewage Pumping Station’s capacity and trapping of drains, there may not be need for pumping station at Chilla.

    4. Discharge of fresh water, back wash of filters and sludge from water treatment plant at Bhagirathi is discharge into drain upstream of Yamuna Vihar STP which dilutes the sewage and thus precious water is wasted. Further, intake point of sewage from this drain at Yamuna Vihar STP is in downstream of discharge point of treated sewage. Such a wrong action is not expected from the DJB which is a technical body. Similarly, pumping of sewage from drain at Jagriti Pumping Station which carries treated sewage is not desired particularly, when there is adequate sewage available in drains carrying untreated sewage. This indicates total unprofessional attitude by the DJB.

    5. DJB should measure flow in various drains atleast once in a quarter so as to plan its diversion to SPSs and STPs

    6. DJB and other agencies have not taken adequate steps to meet the time target as recommended by the P.K. Kaul Committee and approved by the Hon’ble Court.

    1. DJB has requested for extension of time for completion of activity No. 13 from 31.03.2000 to 31.09.2003. The activity relates to construction of sewage pumping stations at Ghonda. Since requested extension period has already expired, the same may be agreed. DJB has through not requested extension of time for collection, treatment, and disposal of 110 mgd sewage (item no. 29), but submitted in schedule of its affidavit, dated February 2, 2003 to construct 135 mgd capacity by 2005. DJB has failed to collect, treat and dispose 110 mgd of sewage by March, 2000. The present treatment capacity is 65 mgd while the current treatment is only 44 mgd. DJB may, therefore, be asked to furnish the Bar/PERT Chart for construction and commissioning of 135 mgd STP.

    2. DJB should ensure that while augmenting the sewage treatment capacities, all the connected works such as laying of sewers, construction of SPS, raising mains etc. are completed well in advance, so that treatment capacity can be fully utilized.

9. GDA/UP Housing Board/UPPCB have failed to divert total sewage generated by residential colonies. Though STP at Indirapuram has capacity to treat 12 mgd of sewage, only 5 mgd sewage is reaching the STP. Industrial units are not treating their effluent to desired level and this partially treated effluent is falling into Shahdara outfall drain. Though concerned agencies estimated the flow of sewage at 12 mgd and as such denied taking partially treated effluent to STP at Indirapuram, it would be proper to divert the partially treated industrial effluent from Sahibabad drain to STP to utilize its full capacity. On long term basis industrial units of Sahibabad should go for CETP and diversion of treated effluent to river Hindon / Hindon cut canal so that there should be no flow from Sahiababad to Shahdara outfall canal. UP Pollution Control Board should strictly monitor the industries and take adequate action against the defaulting industries.

Construction of Bye-pass

The Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its order, dated 14.8.2003 in IA No.197 filed by M/s Yamaha Motors and Hyderabad Industries directed that EPCA may consider the measures to be taken for easing the traffic congestion and increasing idling of vehicles within Delhi.

The IA stated that due to stoppage of entry of goods vehicles in Delhi, which do not have destination as Delhi, the petitioners have to transport their goods from Faridabad to NOIDA via Aligarh and they have to travel a distance of 225 km instead of 40 km if allowed through Delhi. The petitioners requested the Hon’ble Court to issue directions for the completion and construction of Eastern and Western Corridors within a specified time and till such corridors are constructed they may be allowed to transit goods through Delhi.

EPCA discussed the issue with PWD, Haryana, Delhi Police and UPSRTC. It transpired that in view of the Hon’ble Supreme Court order dated 14.07.2002 the I.A. may be rejected and the four corridors suggested by Delhi Traffic Police for bye-passing of trucks in its affidavit dated 4th Feburary,2002 may be considered. In all the four corridors proposed by Delhi Traffic Police, the single road/double road already exists and there is a need of strengthening the existing roads only for carrying the heavy traffic. The four corridors proposed by Delhi Traffic Police as below:

Route 1: Ghaziabad (UP) to Punjab via Sonepat (Haryana) and vice versa

Route 2: Punjab, Sonepat (Haryana) – Gurgaon (Haryana) and beyond

Route 3: Gurgaon to Faridabad

Route 4: Faridabad to Noida – Ghaziabad and beyond

In its report submitted to the Hon’ble Court in November 2003, the EPCA recommended that

    1. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) should be directed to coordinate with the state governments in the NCR to speed up construction and alignment of the bypasses and submit a firm schedule with deadline for completion to the Hon’ble Court: The National Highways Authority of India should be directed to coordinate with the Chief Secretaries of the neighbouring states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab to expedite this matter and a firm schedule for completion should be presented to the Court by NHAI.

    2. NHAI be held directly accountable for the implementation of the plan.

    3. Traffic Police should ensure that there is no entry of trucks into the city, except those genuinely destined for Delhi.

    4. Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), through its Municipal Commissioner, should set up a system for verification and management of the truck entry into the city. Currently, MCD charges a toll tax from the trucks, simply based on the number of wheels of the truck. However, this toll tax should only be for trucks entering the city for loading and unloading. The MCD has to be responsible for ensuring that the trucks have genuine business in the city and maintain details accordingly.

Construction of Common Effluent Treatment Plants

In 1996, the Hon’ble Supreme Court while hearing matter W.P. ( C) No. 4677 of 1985 ordered that common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) should be constructed in various industrial estates of Delhi. The Delhi Government was directed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court to take up the work. Govt. of Delhi has appointed National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to design the plants and set up the framework for allocation of costs between the government and the industries. The government entrusted the responsibility of building the plants to the Delhi State Industrial Development Corporation (DSIDC).

After 8 years, the construction work on 10 CETPs has been completed; construction on another 2 is ongoing and 3 more have to be commissioned. The plants have been built at considerable investment -- cost has escalated from initially quoted Rs 90 crore to a staggering Rs 256 crore. In December 2003 EPCA made a surprise visit to a few of the CETPs. During inspection, it was observed that none of the CETPs visited by the EPCA were functional. Report on inspection was prepared and submitted to the Hon’ble Supreme Court in March 2004. Major recommendation of the report are as below:

    1. The Government of Delhi to resolve outstanding issues related to the payment of dues by the industry associations. The problem of cost escalation from the Rs 90 crore to Rs 256 crore has to be discussed and resolved.

    2. The Government of Delhi to resolve the issues related to the maintenance and operation of the plants.

    3. The Government of Delhi to ensure that the all outstanding and incomplete issues related to the completion of the plants – for instance, the conveyance systems, the sludge disposal systems and other technical problems – are resolved within a time-bound schedule.

    4. The Government of Delhi to ensure that the treated effluent of these plants, built at considerable expense and designed with tertiary treatment to clean the waste, is not allowed to be discharged into the storm water or sewage systems. Unless the government makes provision for the complete reuse of this treated waste, as was the stated direction of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the entire effort will be negated.

    5. In the meanwhile, EPCA would strongly urge the Government of Delhi to stop work on the three CETP’s, for which work has still not been awarded, namely Mohan Coop. Industrial Estate, Okhla Industrial Estate and Anand Parbat Industrial Estate. The first effort of the government must be to make the 12 plants, already constructed, completely functional and effective.

    6. NEERI to be directed to work with the government of Delhi to resolve all technical issues and to ensure to meet the effluent discharge parameters.

    7. Industry associations to be directed to cooperate with the Delhi Government and to ensure that the CETPs are effectively functioning. Industry must be cautioned that the matter relates to pollution of the river and that in case this enormous effort and investment is not put to work, it will be detrimental to them.

EPCA would recommend that the Government of Delhi must be directed to ensure that the above activities are completed within 6 months. EPCA is not prepared to recommend further delay as it is clear the Government of Delhi has had a number of years to implement these important directions of the Hon’ble Court.

    1. ACCREDITATION OF CENTRAL POLLUTION CONTROL LABORATORIES AS PER ISO/IEC 17025 STANDARD

      2. Laboratory accreditation is a formal recognition, authorization and registration of a laboratory on the basis of a third party assessment of its capability, competence and ability to carry out specific tests or types of tests. Accreditation of laboratories creates a transparent situation in the world of quality assurance and a power of tool in developing and establishing confidence and credibility between the users and laboratories. The International Standard ISO/IEC 17025 (1999) covers all aspects of laboratory’s activities, which on implementation ensure reliability, and accuracy of results. Laboratory Quality System meeting the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 (1999).

      Central Pollution Control Board, Central Laboratory at Delhi has been assigned as per requirements of International Standard ISO/IEC 17025 (1999) and accreditation has been granted by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) in Chemical and Biological fields. Scope under Chemical field covered more than seventy air, water and wastewater parameters. Six water, wastewater and sediment parameters have been covered under scope of Biological field. The requirement of ISO/IEC are monitored periodically for its effectiveness.

      Zonal Laboratories at Kanpur and Kolkata also have been finally assessed by NABL and are at advance stage of accreditation and hopefully may obtain accreditation within the year 2004. Zonal Laboratories Bangalore and Vadodara are under preparatory stage for implementation of ISO/IEC 17025 (1999) and finally to obtain accreditation.

    2. ECOMARK SCHEME

      3. Ecomark is a label given to a product, which qualifies for environmental parameters as well as quality requirements of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). In India, the Ecomark scheme was introduced in 1991 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. The primary objective of the scheme is to promote environmentally conscious purchase decisions on the part of consumers and to promote the manufacturers to build environmentally responsive image through their products. Ultimately the purpose of the scheme is to ensure environment in quality of life with least damage to the environment. The criteria of Ecomark are based on the Life-cycle analysis of a product, a concept which is often termed as ‘Cradle to grave" approach. So far, Ecomark criteria for the 16 product categories have been notified in the Gazette of India.

      During year 2003-2004, Ecomark criteria on coir and coir products has been developed and final draft criteria has been forwarded to Ecomark Steering Committee, MoEF, for final Gazette Notification.

    3. BIO-MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

Guidelines on "Design & Construction of Bio-medical Waste Incinerator" and "Common Bio-medical Waste Treatment Facility"

In order to check the proliferation of poorly designed bio-medical waste incinerator, guidelines on "Design & Construction of Bio-medical Waste Incinerator" have been prepared. These guidelines recommend the design features of an incinerator as well as the air pollution control devices, recommend the minimum infrastructure and treatment equipment required for a common bio-medical waste treatment facility (CBWTF), recording and transportation of bio-medical waste etc. The guidelines would help in installing CBWTF with adequate equipment and infrastructure and adopting proper operations.

Approval of new technology for treatment of bio-medical waste

Applications of three new technologies were received by the CPCB. Upon examining these three technologies, the technology "Demolizer" was given a conditional approval by the CPCB. The "Demolizer" technology thermally disinfects certain categories of wastes in the absence of steam.

Video film on Bio-medical management

A video film of about 30 minutes is being made on bio-medical waste management. The film will highlight the provisions of the BMW Rules, demonstrate the need of imparting treatment of bio-medical waste, the proper segregation & transportation of bio-medical waste, the treatment equipment and the common bio-medical waste treatment facility. The video film is being developed for wide circulation to SPCBs/PCCs, healthcare facilities for generating awareness cum training.

Support to SPCB to organise workshops/trainings

Financial/technical support was given to Kerala, Uttranchal and Tripura SPCB for organisation of workshop/training programmes on bio-medical waste management. Indian Medical Association, Noida was also supported in conducting a session on bio-medical waste management, during their annual meet held on 15/2/2004 at Noida.

Monitoring of Dioxins/Furans from BMW incinerator

Assistance given to RRL, Thiruvananthapuram in monitoring the Dioxins/Furans from the BMW incinerators under the MoEF funded project. Three samplings have been conducted in Delhi and results are awaited.

Preparation of status of Bio-medical waste management

The information on the Bio-medical Waste Management in respect of the year 2003-2004 has been collected from the SPCBs/PCCs, compiled and status report has been prepared.

14.5 NATIONAL CONFERENCES

    • 50th Conference of Chairmen & Member Secretaries of CPCB/SPCBs/PCCs was organized during March 8-9, 2004 at New Delhi. Over 100 participants from 29 State/UTs, MoEF and CPCB attended the Conference. The major issues discussed during the conference are as follows:

 

    1. Review of National Air/Water Quality Monitoring Programmes and networking of Air/Water Quality Monitoring Stations.

    2. Status of installation of continuous Air Quality Monitoring Stations in 16 cities.

    3. Creation of Environmental Data Bank

    4. Status of implementation on CREP recommendation for 17 categories of industries

    5. Exempting ISO 14001 industries from routine inspections/inspection prior to renewal of consents.

    6. Action taken report prepared to implement the order of Hon’ble Supreme Court on Hazardous Waste Management

    7. Inter-State movement of hazardous waste for disposal - use of high calorific value hazardous waste as fuel in cement kiln

    8. Status of implementation of Municipal Solid Wastes Management/Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules.

    9. Zoning Atlas Programme including criteria for siting of industries.

    10. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess (Amendment) Act, 2003 : status of cess assessment and utilization of cess reimbursement.

    • A National Seminar on Corporate Responsibility for Environment Protection (CREP) was organised during 12-13 March, 2003 and after deliberations and discussions with the Industrial Associations, regulatory agencies, concerned Ministries, local bodies, NGOs etc. a Charter was released covering the action points agreed upon in the seminar, for implementation by the major polluting industrial categories in a time bound manner.

    • For implementation of the recommendations of the Charter, Eight Task Forces were constituted to review the progress of the work of task forces a National Conference on follow-up of Corporate Responsibility for Environment Protection was organised on July, 29, 2003. Several meetings of the task forces have been organized and a meeting of the Steering Committee was held on February 5, 2004 at MoEF, Delhi to review the progress made in the implementation of the CREP Charter.

14.6 HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT

First National Workshop on E-Waste Management was organized on March 15, 2004 at New Delhi. Over 50 participants - experts from Switzerland, NGOs, Industries, Industrial Association, MoEF, SPCBs, CPCB, attended the workshop. It was decided to conduct Rapid Assessment of the present E-Waste Management Practices in major cities of the country and to form a group of experts and stake holders for developing the policy for E-Waste management in country. It was decided that CPCB will conduct a Rapid Assessment Study for E-Waste Management in various cities in the country and formulate a Working Group to look into the matters related to amendment in legislation.

Implementation of the Directives of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of WP (C) No. 657 of 1995" – reg.

The activities assigned to CPCB by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in its order dated October 14, 2003 in the matter of Writ Petition No.657 of 1995 are follows:

Sl.No.

Activity

1

Preparation & Issuance of Check list and ensuring its

compliance by SPCBs/PCCs

2

Preparation of guidelines for transportation of Hazardous

waste

3

Uniform Testing Procedures to be followed by the Labs

4

Guidelines for proper functioning & up keep of Disposal sites

5

Guidelines on HW incinerators

6

National Policy Document on Management of Hazardous Waste

7

Random Cross Check on Inventory of HW generation

Submitted by the SPCBs/PCCs.

8

Cross check on inventory on HW dump sites submitted

by the SPCBs/PCCs and evaluation of the rehabilitation

plans of dump sites.

9

Preparation & Publication of National Inventory of HW

generation and HW dump sites.

10

Fixing Time Frame for Implementation of Rehabilitation

Plans by SPCBs/PCCs.

Apart from the above activities CPCB is also required to Co-ordinate with Ministry of Environment & Forests w.r.to preparation and finalization of the draft Amendment to Schedule 3, 4 & 8 of Hazardous Waste (M & H) Amendment Rules, 2003 and other related activities.

As per the directives of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, CPCB has prepared the draft guidelines and the same has been circulated to all the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) of Union Territories (UTs) and Government Secretary’s of all the State Governments and others concerned with a request to provide comments/views on the following:

    • Preparation & Issuance of Check list and ensuring its compliance by SPCBs/PCCs

    • Preparation of guidelines for transportation of hazardous waste

    • Guidelines for proper functioning & up keep of Disposal sites.

    • Guidelines on HW incinerators

Based on the comments received from the SPCBs/PCCs and others concerned, above guidelines will be reviewed for finalization and for implementation by the concerned.

Also, Central Board prepared a guidance manual on "Sampling, Analysis and Characterization of Hazardous Waste" for the purpose of State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) of UTs and others concerned with an aim to serve as a "Uniform Testing Procedures" to be followed by the Labs.

Registration as recyclers or re-processors of Hazardous Waste:

As per Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Amendment Rules, 2003 vide S.O. No. 593 (E), notified by the Government of India on May 20, 2003, every person desirous of recycling or re-processing of non –ferrous metal as specified under Schedule 4 or used oil or waste oil shall register with the Central Pollution Control Board. Ministry of Environment & Forests has empowered Central Pollution Control Board for granting of registration to such recyclers or re-processors of hazardous waste having environmentally sound management facilities, as per the procedure laid down under Rule 19 (2) of the Hazardous Waste (M & H) Amendment Rules, 2003. Accordingly, Central Board is granting registration to the recyclers or re-processors of hazardous waste. At present, there are about 200 registered recyclers or re-processors with CPCB and the information is made available to the users in the Web Site of Central Board under the Hazardous Waste Management Information.

Work shop on "Technology for re-refining of used oil":

As per HW (M & H) Amendment Rules, 2003 notified by the Government of India on May 20, 2003, used oil meeting the specifications laid down under Schedule 5 of the said Rules are suitable for re-refining. Also, as per Rule 21 (1) of the said Rules, the used oil re-refiners involved in used oil re-refining using acid clay process or modified acid clay process are required to switchover within six months from the date of commencement of the said Rules to other environmentally sound technologies as under:

a). Vacuum distillation with clay treatment

b). Vacuum distillation with hydro treatment

c). Thin film evaporation process or

d). Any other technology approved by the MoEF.

In order to create awareness about the environmentally sound technologies for re-refining of used oil listed under Rule 21 (1) of the Hazardous Waste (M & H) Amendment Rules, 2003 notified by the Government of India on May 20, 2003, for the purpose of assessment to be made by the officials of SPCBs/PCCs & the used oil re-refining or re-processing industry in the country, a one day work shop has been conducted in the month of March 2004 for the officials of SPCBs/PCCs and the re-refining or re-processing industry in association with Confederation of India Industry, New Delhi. Above one-day workshop has been attended by the officials of SPCBs/PCCs, CPCB, MoEF and about 150 stakeholders from all over the country.

CPCB asked all the SPCBs/PCCs to take initial steps for effective implementation of the Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, and initiate action against the defaulter healthcare facilities under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

The CPCB has been entrusted (vide third amendments in the Rules dated September 17, 2003) with the additional responsibility of monitoring the implementation of the Bio Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules by the Armed Forces healthcare establishments under the Ministry of Defence.

14.7 MANAGEMENT OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTES (MSW)

Implementation of MSW Rules

The Central Board has furnished Annual Report on status of implementation of MSW Rules, 2000. It has been observed that process of implementation of the Rules has been very low. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has requested SPCBs/PCCs to formulate action plans for management of MSW is towns having population more than 20,000 and 50,000 depending upon the size of the town. CPCB has initiated regional reviews for assessing the progress of implementation of the Rules. For the Northern region, States of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh have been covered.

Demonstration Project on MSW

The Central Pollution Control Board has launched a scheme on "setting up of model facilities for demonstration of management of municipal solid waste for implementation of the Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000. The objectives of the scheme is to build up capabilities of local bodies, to document and to assess the actual performance and to disseminate information. The scheme is implemented on cost sharing basis (50% by CPCB/MoEF and 50% by local municipal body or State Government agencies).

During the year, CPCB has initiated the projects in North Dum Dum, New Barrackpore (West Bengal) and Chandigarh. The activities planned under the model facilities project aims to address the requirements to comply with the Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000. The activities shall cover:

    • Compliance with Schedule II of the Municipal Solid Waste Rules relating to collection, segregation, storage, transportation, processing and disposal of municipal solid waste;

    • Setting up of waste processing facility complying with Schedule II and IV of the Rules; and,

    • Setting up of waste disposal facility in compliance with Schedule II, III and IV of the Rules.

Under the project, Monitoring Committees and Execution Committees have been constituted for review of the progress of the projects and for daily execution of the projects respectively.

Assessment of Status of Municipal Solid Waste Management in 59 Cities

A study has been initiated to assess the existing status of municipal solid waste management in metro cities (35) and State Capitals (24). The aims are to find out action taken and action proposed by the municipal authorities to comply with the Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000. The study would also suggest action plan, which may serve as guideline of the concerned local bodies for planning actions with respect to better management of municipal solid waste.

 

 

 

Status of Methane Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Sites

The project on assessing methane emissions from the municipal solid waste disposal sites in and around Nagpur and Delhi has been initiated with assistance from National Environment Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur and Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Methane estimation along with the protocol for measuring the level of methane will be developed under the project. It will help the concerned authorities for evolving methods for energy recovery or for reducing impacts of landfill gas.

Operating Manual Guidelines on Implementation of MSW Rules

An operation manual on Municipal Solid Waste Rules has been prepared. The manual will be useful for the engineers and planners working for the local bodies, State Pollution Control Boards and other concerned organizations. The manual elaborately deals with the equipments required for collection and transportation of waste, sampling and analytical procedures to be followed for monitoring of pollutants around the landfill sites. The manual also indicates some of the assumption, which could be followed for calculating the requirement of tools and equipments for waste collection, transportation and disposal.

Application of Municipal Solid Waste on agricultural crops

A detailed study has been completed on the application of compost made out of municipal solid waste on agricultural crops. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, has completed the study with the objective to characterize manurialand hazard potential of compost on agricultural crops. The field experiments were carried out under upland conditions on a sandy loam soil at IARI farm. Based on the detailed field investigations, the optimum doses for application of compost for their nutrient contents have been worked out. Detailed guidelines for utilizing compost have been prepared.

    1. MANAGEMENT OF PLASTIC WASTE

Implementation Status of Recycled Plastics Manufacture & Usage Rules, 1999 as Amended on 2003

The State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) have initiated implementing the provisions of the Recycled Plastics Manufacture & Usage (Amended) Rule, 2003, which include restriction on manufacture, sale, distribution and usage of plastic carry bages abd containers less than 8X12 inches in size and having minimum thickness of 20 micron. The SPCBs/PCCs have further initiated the actions which include:

    1. Inventorisation of Plastics Recycling Units;

    2. Preparation of time-bound action plan on Plastic Waste Management; and,

    3. Organising mass awareness programmes for prohibiting littering of waste.

Pilot Project on Plastic Recycling Process

A project on "Re-engineering the recycling process of packaging plastics" on plastic waste management was initiated in collaboration with Jadhavpur University, Kolkata. The objectives of the project are as follows:

    • to study the plastic recycling process
    • to identify the pollutants generated during the process
    • to re-engineering the existing recycling processes
    • to reduce & control the amount of pollutants generated during the plastic recycling process
    • to generate awareness on use of plastics complying with legislative requirements and its disposal

The project has been completed and final draft report has been submitted. A new machine has been designed to process different types of plastic wastes for preparing improved recycled granules and to improve the recycling process. The newly designed machine is having monitoring device, also takes care of limiting fugitive emissions in comparison with the existing recycling processes, including pollution control devices.

Present Status of Plastics Recycling in India

Some plastic recycling units of different categories located in Delhi, Kanpur, Kolkata and Ghaziabad were visited to assess the present recycling processes as well as to address the environmental issues related to these units. These units are mainly involved in recycling of both post and pre-consumer plastic wastes. Most of these units are located on non-conforming areas and recycle the plastic wastes in crude manner. Such units neither confirm recycling norms prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) nor they comply with the provisions of the Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 2003.

The recycling operation depends upon collection/segregation made by informal sectors such as ragpickers/kabariwalas, this practice needs to be regulated. The recycling of plastic wastes is managed through local made recycling machines, these machines needs up gradation.

Regulation of Plastic Waste Disposal

In order to regulate plastic waste disposal, the recommendations are as follows:

    • Local bodies shall set up post-consumer plastic wastes collection and segregation centers and to encourage the consumers to deposit their plastic wastes by giving some incentives and to reorganize the activity of ragpickers and kabariwals;

    • Integrated Guidelines for plastic recycling shall be evolved;
    • The recycling of plastic units located in non-conforming areas shall be regulated as per existing provisions of the Recycled Plastic Manufacture and Usage Amendments Rules, 2003;
    • As per the provisions of the Municipal Solid Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2000, the non-biodegradable matter, such as plastics shall follow the route of recycling; therefore, municipal authorities should coordinate and encourage the process of recycling as per provisions of the Rules;
    • Developing alternative technologies for disposal of waste plastics;
    • Authenticate/promote the bio-degradable plastics; and,
    • Discourage use of polythelene bags

Innovative Technologies for Plastic Waste Disposal and Management

Central Pollution Control Board has made attempts to collect and collate the information on plastic wastes processing technologies. The technologies include the following:

Incineration is suitable for hazardous and infectious plastic wastes. The plastic wastes contain lots of calorific value, which helps in recovering the energy for running the plant. However, the problem of toxic emissions remains unsolved.

Thermolysis is a process where scrap and waste plastics are converted into liquid hydrocarbons and can be used as fuels like diesel and gasoline. The system uses liquification, pyrolysis and the catalytic breakdown of plastics. This process can handle unsorted and unwashed plastics, which reaches to landfill sites by default. The categories of plastics, which can be treated through this process are Polythylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), ABS resin (ABS), Polythylene Terephthalate (PET) and Fibre reinforced plastics (FRP). A pilot scale study has been conducted at G.H. Raisoni College of Engineering, Nagpur. The results are highly encouraging which needs to be tried in the field conditions. The fuel quality has been checked by the R & D Department of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.

The road construction is a good option for plastic disposal. Waste plastics such as carry bags, cups, thermocole and even multilayer plastics, softens on heating around temperature range of 135-1350 C. A study using thermo-gravimetric analysis has shown that there is no gas emission at this temperature range. Besides, the softens plastic have better binding properties. These molten plastic materials can be used as binder and/or they can also be mixed with traditional binder like bitumen to enhance their blending properties. It is found to be a good blend for the bitumen used in road construction, block making, modified light roofing, mastic flooring and polymer reinforced concrete etc. A pilot-scale study has been successfully completed at the Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai. Several experimental stretches have also been laid down in the State of Tamilnadu. Their performance appears to be satisfactory as roads are stronger, less bleeding and leaching, no potholes are formed, no dioxin and radiation is generated, both hot-mix and central mixing plant can be used, bitumen as well as cost is saved and plastic waste is disposed without hassle.

14.9 CO-ORDINATION WITH STATE POLLUTION CONTROL BOARDS (SPCB) AND POLLUTION CONTROL COMMITTEES (PCC)

In addition to interaction with SPCBs and PCCs on matters concerning prevention and control of pollution, SPCBs/PCCs were also persuaded on strengthening of infrastructure and streamlining procedures relating to implementation of acts and rules on abatement of pollution. Some of the important issues on which interaction made with SPCBs/PCCs include;

Coimbatore Charter

Feed-back has been received from several SPCBs/PCCs on taking up steps for implementation of the Charter. The states which have responded include; Tripura, Kerala, Meghalya, Chandigarh (UT), Karnataka, Goa Orissa, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab and others. The steps taken by the States include; re-constitution of the Board by induction of technical experts, streamlining of consent procedures, inventorisation of polluting sources formulation of Annual Plans strengthening of laboratory facilities and several other actions as per the Charter.

Utilization of Cess funds

Pursuant to the amendment in Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1977 in 2003, the States Boards/Committee have taken steps to re-assess the collection of Water cess. It has been estimated that due to increase in water cess charges, the cess collection would go up by almost 2 ½ times. On the suggestion of CPCB for utilization of cess funds, SPCBs have taken steps for undertaking activities relating to pollution abatement programmes which include; strengthening of laboratory facilities, strengthening of water and air quality monitoring programme, intensifying environmental surveillance activities and others. Accordingly, State Boards like; Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Kerala Karnataka and others have prepared Annual Action Plans.

Strengthening of SPCBs/PCCs

During 2003, a scheme sanctioned by MoEF on strengthening of North-Eastern SPCBs and PCCs in Uts was reviewed. Environmental issues of north-eastern region and UTs were discussed and accordingly the State Boards/PCCs have been requested to formulate action plans. Most of the States/PCCs in this region have formulated Recruitment Rules for undertaking recruitment of sanctioned staff. Steps are also taken for strengthening of laboratories of State Board like.

Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram have set up the laboratories and started monitoring work.

During the year, the proposals received from SPCBs/PCCs on strengthening in terms of laboratory and other schemes have been examined and recommended to the Ministry of Environment & Forests for consideration. Such proposals include proposal from State of Goa, Chhatisgarh, Uttaranchal, Jharkhand, Tripura etc.

14.10 WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY

The problem of pollution of aquatic resources in the country has become a matter of concern. Keeping in view of number of agencies involved in water quality monitoring and management, Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India, has issued a notification, S.O. 583 (E), in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) and (3) of Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 in the Gazette of India dated 22 June 2001, constituting the Water Quality Assessment Authority (WQAA) with effect from 29th May 2001. The WQAA is mainly responsible for standardization of methods for water quality monitoring and to ensure quality of data generation for utilization thereof besides a number of other functions. The WQAA constituted the state level Water Quality Review Committees and indicated the process for standardization of monitoring exercise.

14.11 CONSTITUTION OF TASK FORCE ON RATIONALISATION OF WATER QUALITY MONITORING

The Water Quality Assessment Authority (WQAA) has constituted a Task Force in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) and (3) of Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 on 9th September 2003 under the Chairmanship of Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, to recommend measure for optimum Water Quality Observation Network and coordinated data collection and dissemination system to assist the Water Quality Assessment Authority. The terms of reference (TOR) of the Task Force are (i) Development of Water Quality data information system and recommend the steps for coordination in collection, use and dissemination of data, (ii) Review of Water Quality Monitoring Network and recommend optimum network for the country and (iii) Recommend system for Accreditation of Water Quality laboratories in the country. The Task Force deliberated the matter and came out with a number of recommendations including implementation of uniform protocol for water quality monitoring, quality assurance, parameters, frequency and locations, reporting and dissemination of data. It has also recommended an organizational structure for Hydrological Information System with respect to Water Quality as shown in Fig 14.1.

 


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