The study on Zoning Atlas for Siting of Industries (ZASI) has been taken up district-wise, zones and classifies the environment and presents the pollution receiving potential of various sites/zones in the district and identifies the possible alternate sites for industries, through easy-to-read maps (1:250,000 scale). The work was earlier completed for 60 districts.

During the current year, the work is in progress for 50 districts taken up earlier and another 23 districts for which the work has been commenced in the current year. The list of these 23 districts is given below:

In continuation of the Zoning Atlas studies, the Industrial Estate Planning studies have been taken up at micro-level (1:50,000 and lower) to identify sites for industrial estates based on environmental sensitivity assessments.

The industrial estate planning studies for the following five sites have been finalized and sent to the concerned State Pollution Control Boards for ensuring usage of the results:

The industrial estate planning studies for the following three sites have been completed and are under review for finalization:

The industrial estate planning studies are in progress for the following sites:

These studies are targeted for improving environmental quality through appropriate land use planning and management. The progress of work during the current year is presented below:

The following studies were taken up:

The EMP for Agra has been completed. The study has resulted in identifying the priority projects to be executed for environmental improvement of Agra. Efforts are on to ensure implementation of these projects. The studies for other cities are in progress.

The following studies were taken up:

The methodology has been developed to carry out these studies and the studies are in progress.

The preparation of environmental management plan for Panchmarhi Biosphere Reserve, Madhya Pradesh is a pilot effort for protecting the environment and achieving sustainable development. The methodology has been developed for conducting these studies and the studies are in progress.

The following studies were taken up:

A comprehensive human resource development programme has been developed for providing training to various target groups, in the field of spatial environmental planning. The training programmes will be conducted through a network of institutions, called SEP-NET (Spatial Environmental Planning Network). The institutes included in the SEP-NET are: School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi, Centre for Environmental Planning & Technology - Ahmedabad, EPTRI - Hyderabad, Environmental Training Institute - Chennai, National Productivity Council - Delhi, Disaster Management Institute – Bhopal, TERI – New Delhi, and Steel Authority India Ltd. - Ranchi. The programme is supported by CDG, Germany with grants of approx. Rs 3.5 crore.

During the current year, all the preparatory works including finalsing the human resources development plan, arranging agreements with the participating training institutions, development of a quality assurance manual and related materials were completed. Also, a website for the programme was developed and the officials of participating training institutions were trained on content management of the web site.

A 4-week overseas training programme on ‘Spatial Environmental Planning’ was conducted in Europe in June/July, 2001 for working level officers from the Pollution Control Boards and the Environmental Administration. Also, a 2-week Visit–Cum-Exposure Programme was conducted on ‘Spatial Environmental Planning’ in Europe during September 2001 for the higher officials from the Pollution Control Boards and the Environmental Administration.

The hands-on-training on GIS (Geographic Information System for preparation and analysis of maps) was provided to the teams from the SPCBs and executing agencies. The teams from Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Orissa and Bihar were able to handle the works with the training provided.

The spatial environmental planning requires GIS tools and other supporting infrastructure for mapping and disseminating the results. The infrastructure including GIS hardware and software, audio-visual equipment and cartographic equipment have been installed at CPCB and various other State Pollution Control Boards and other executing agencies participating in the programme.

A Centre for Spatial Environmental Planning was commenced at the Himachal Pradesh State Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board, Shimla with modern facilities to undertake the planning tasks.

The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) for the NCR was constituted by the Central Government vide notification dated January, 1998. The main functions of the EPCA are:

The Central Pollution Control Board provided all the technical and secretarial support to the EPCA for carrying out its functions. The EPCA monitored implementation of action points enlisted in the "White Paper on Pollution with on Action Plan", priority measures for vehicular pollution control and implementation of Sh. P.K. Kaul Committee recommendations as instructed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide order dated November 16, 1998. The EPCA also prepared reports on ‘Clean Fuels’ and ‘Standards for CNG Vehicles and Refilling Stations’ as desired by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. During period from April 2001 to March 2002, EPCA held 42 meeting for monitoring implementation of the action points and priority measures (Total number of meetings held till March 2002 is 194). EPCA also visited several sites to check compliance by various agencies. Concerned Departments/Ministries of the Central Government and State Governments, and other agencies were persuaded for implementation.

The issues taken up by the EPCA included clean fuels, standards for CNG vehicles and refilling stations, adulteration of fuels, conversion of public transport fleet to CNG mode, CNG supply infrastructure, safety of CNG vehicles, common effluent treatment plants, biomedical waste management and Sh. P.K. Kaul Committee report. In addition, the EPCA had examined interlocutory applications, and other matters referred by the Hon’ble Supreme Court and appropriate action was taken. The action taken on the issues is presented in following paras:

The Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its order dated March 26,2001 directed as below:

"During the course of argument, it was contended before us that low sulphur diesel should be regarded as a clean fuel and buses be permitted to run on that. It was submitted that in some other countries ultra low sulphur diesel which has sulphur content of not more than 0.001 per cent is now available. We direct the Bhure Lal Committee to examine this question and permit the parties to submit their written representations to the Committee in this behalf. The Committee may submit a report to this Court in that behalf as also indicate as to which fuel can be regarded as `clean fuel’, which does not cause pollution or is otherwise injurious to health".

The Hon’ble Supreme Courrt further directed vide order dated April 2001 as follows:

"It shall be open to the interested parties to make their representation directly before Bhure Lal Committee in support of their pleas as to what can be regarded as a clean fuel, which does not cause pollution and is otherwise not injurious to health, to assist the Committee to formulate its report."

Accordingly, the EPCA received representations from the following parties:

EPCA also solicited option of Dr. Dinesh Mohan, Professor, IIT, Delhi and TERI, New Delhi. The issues came up through representations as well as from the experts, were examined by EPCA. Such issues include clean fuel, availability of CNG, infrastructure distribution of CNG, security of CNG supply and storage, conversion of diesel buses to CNG, operation of interstate and tourists buses, and financial incentives for promotion of CNG buses. After assessment of these issues, EPCA made following recommendations:

EPCA submitted its report on "Clean Fuels" with above recommendations to the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the first week of July 2001.

While hearing the matter, the Hon'ble Supreme Court vide its order dated April 4, 2001 in W.P.(C) No. 13029/85 directed as follows:

"We request the Bhure Lal committee to examine the existing standards for CNG vehicles including conversion of vehicles to CNG mode and for the CNG refilling stations and submit report to this court for our consideration."

EPCA held discussions with the following organizations to have their views on the issue:

EPCA also discussed the issue with experts from overseas: Mr. Frank Dursbeck from Germany; Mr. Christopher S. Weaver from USA, and, Mr. Lennart Erlandsson from Sweden.

As desired by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, EPCA submitted its report on "Standards for CNG Vehicles and Refilling Stations" which includes following recommendations:

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas may be asked to lay down the specifications of pipeline gas. The gas composition, as indicated by methane content and the Wobbe index (indicator to measure the effect of changes in gas composition on air-fuel ratio and engine combustion) should be laid down.

The capabilities and capacities of the type approval institutions should be improved in order to reduce the duration of the type approval procedure to reasonable, internationally common time frames. The type approval procedure including the "Information on Technical Specification to be Submitted by Manufacturer" of testing agencies needs to be reviewed in order to delete unnecessary test items and administrative procedures, and to make the system more cost-effective and less time consuming. A complete test should not take more than three weeks, and for minor modifications, specified by a competent authority, the vehicle should not need to undergo the complete new type approval procedure. Rather, only those parts affected by the changes should require testing.

The Bureau of Indian Standards may be asked to lay down standards for high-pressure cylinders and piping for the on board storage of CNG as a fuel for automotive vehicles on the lines of prevailing international standards such as ISO-11439 Gas cylinders – "High-pressure Cylinders for the On-board Storage of Natural Gas as a Fuel for Automotive Vehicles".

The Hon’ble Supreme Court while hearing I.A. No. 151 of the Writ Petition No. 13029/1985 filed by Delhi Petrol Dealers Association gave the following directive in its order dated November 22, 2001:

"Copy of this application be also forwarded to Shri Bhure Lal who should constitute an agency which would independently carry out random inspection at the petrol pumps, oil depots and tank lorries in Delhi and give a report with regard to the quality of petrol and diesel available there. It will not be necessary for such an agency to give advance notice before lifting samples as it will be helpful if there is an element of surprise".

To ascertain the existing procedures for checking adulteration of fuel and to formulate a work plan for conducting surprise checks and independent fuel testing, EPCA discussed the matter with the representatives of the Anti-Adulteration Wing of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG), Department of Food and Civil Supplies, Govt. of NCT Delhi, Society for Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and the Society for Fuel Testing Laboratory (FTL) Noida. EPCA submitted an interim report to the Hon’ble Supreme Court, which included following issues that emerged out of these deliberations:

Subsequently, EPCA authorized the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) as an agency to carry out random inspection of petrol pumps, oil depots and tank lorries. Based on the results received from FTL and observations during sampling, CSE submitted a draft report to EPCA. A copy of the draft report was provided to the Regional Level Coordinator of the Oil Companies to elicit their comments. The comments made by the Oil Companies were discussed in the presence of representatives of the Oil Companies on 4.2.2002. The report was then finalized taking into account the comments of the Oil Companies and submitted to the Hon’ble Supreme Court in February 2002. Major findings and recommendations of the report are as follow:

According to Hon’ble Supreme Court order, entire bus fleet of Delhi was to be converted to CNG by 31.3.2001. The autos and taxies were also directed to convert to clean fuel/CNG. However as on 31.3.2001 only, 1600 buses, 25,000 autos and 10,000 cars including 1100 taxis were operating on CNG mode. The Hon’ble Supreme Court, vide order, dated 26^th March, 20001 extended the target date of conversion of entire bus fleet to CNG by September, 2001 subject to booking of new vehicle on CNG or for conversion kit and submission of affidavit by the vehicle owners that they will convert their vehicle by that time. The Hon’ble Supreme Court further extended the time limit up to January 31, 2002. Delhi Govt. has filed affidavit in the Court to phase out 200 buses every month as per increase in availability of CNG.

As on March 31, 2002, there are about 57,240 CNG vehicles including 2120 DTC and 2111 private buses, 2165 RTVs, 4816 taxis, 35678 autos and 10350 private cars. As per the recent direction of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, autos can operate using cleaner petrol with 1 % benzene and 0.05 % sulphur contents.

Recently, the Hon’ble Supreme Court directed to fine Rs. 500/- per day on diesel buses and Rs. 1000/- per day w.e.f. May 8, 2002 if they ply till the entire bus fleet is converted to CNG mode.

As per the Hon’ble Supreme Court order dated April 5, 2002, the IGL to make available 16.1 lacs kg of CNG per day in the NCT of Delhi by 30.6.2002. IGL was requested to apprise the EPCA about their preparedness in complying with the order. As on 12.4.2002, IGL has installed a total of 79 compressors comprising of 30 mothers, 23 on-line and 26 daughter booster compressors. The total capacity of mother and online compressors is 33573 kg per hour, considering 18 hours working in a day. The daily capacity of compressors to fill up CNG works out to be 604314 kg against which sales is around 5 lacs kg per day.

At present, there are 94 CNG compressors in operation which include 17 mother station on IGL land, 9 mother stations on DTC land, 13 on-line stations, 26 daughter booster stations and 29 daughter stations. As on March 31, 2002, 57240 CNG vehicles were in operation which consists of 2120 DTC buses, 2111 private buses, 35678 three wheelers, 2165 RTV/Mini buses, 10350 private cars and 4816 taxies. In March 2001, the number of CNG vehicles were 26350 only with 200 DTC buses, 200 private buses, 250 RTVs, 14000 three wheelers, 2200 taxis and 9500 cars.

To increase the CNG despairing capacity to 6.9 lacs kg per day 5 nos. of additional compressors are expected to be commissioned by the end of June 2002. In addition to above 8 compressors have also been ordered which are expected to be commissioned by September 2002 to make a dispensing capacity of 8.29 lacs kg per day. In order to meet the demand of CNG, 7 more compressors are being procured which will increase the capacity to 9.6 lacs kg per day by December, 2002. At some locations compressors and dispensers will be doubled to increase the additional bus filling capacity.

In order to meet the requirement of 16.1 lacs kg CNG per day, a total of 110 numbers of compressors will be required. At present, 53 compressors are under operation, 5 compressors are under commissioning, delivery of another compressors are 8 expected between June to August, 2002, and order for 7 compressors are being placed, fresh tendering have to be done for the remaining 37 compressors. EPCA is of the opinion that the CNG supply plans are not adequate to meet the target fixed by the Hon’ble Court.

In view of fire accidents in few CNG buses, EPCA discussed the mater with bus manufacturers, Transport Department, DTC so as to assure preventive measures. The main causes of accidents were reported due to gas pipe disconnection, structural failure and gas leak filling.

The manufacturers informed that they have analysed the root causes for the accidents and adopted additional safety kits in the buses in order to avoid future accidents. To vent out gas from under floor to roof top vent pipes have been installed in most of the buses. It was also informed that the bus manufacturers have taken precautions so that the extra spark generated in the distribution chambers get arrested and does not travel to the exhaust pump. Besides this, pamphlets are being provided which contain all precautionary measures to be taken before and during body building of the buses and other guidelines to be followed during gas fillings and gas leakages.

EPCA asked the bus manufacturers to exercise checks during the body building, which may supplement the STA certification. The bus manufacturers may also recall the vehicle, if body is not built as per their specifications. It was pointed out by EPCA that according to report submitted by the experts earlier, spark plug ignition need to be replaced by contact less electronics ignition system.

As per Hon’ble Supreme Court order, 15 common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) are to be constructed by Delhi Industrial Development Corporation (DSIDC). EPCA has constantly pursued the issue of CETPs with concerned agencies i.e. CETP Societies, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and Delhi State Industrial Development Corporation (DSIDC). The status on construction of 15 CETPs is presented in Table 14.1.

The P.K. Kaul Committee, constituted by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of W.P.(C) No. 914/1996 recommended 34-point action plan to improve treatment and disposal of sewage and industrial wastewater from trans-Yamuna area. As per the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated November 16, 1998, EPCA is monitoring the implementation of the action plan.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its order dated May 4, 2001 referred the affidavits of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) to EPCA and directed as follows:

"The Bhure Lal Committee is requested to examine the various affidavits which have been filed in this Court, copies of which should be forwarded to the said Committee, in relation to the implementation of the P.K. Kaul Committee’s Report. The needful be done and the Report submitted within three months. In the meantime various government agencies will endeavour to do whatever is required to be done."

Accordingly, EPCA examined the affidavits and held discussions with DJB, GDA and U.P. Pollution Control Board on the issue. Based on the submissions of these organizations, EPCA prepared "Second Report on P.K. Kaul Committee Recommendations" and submitted to the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

The Project Canada - India Environmental Institutional Strengthening Project (MOEF-EC Project) is a five year (2000-2005) project funded by Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and implemented by Environment Canada with approx. project cost of Canadian Dollars 4.73 Millions. The implementation of project has started during August 2000 and will end in September 2005. The basic objectives of the project are to strengthen the institutional capacity of India’s MOEF to promote environmentally sound development with national priorities and to address environmental issues of global concern.

The project plan have three well developed component (Table 14.2) apart from project management component. The Sub-component Air Quality Monitoring under Project component Air Emission Monitoring and control is implemented by Central Pollution Control Board. The sub-component has provision of training of Indian officials in Canada on Monitoring of Air Toxics such as VOC, Semi-VOC and Calibration & Auditing of Instruments. There has also provision for external validation of training programme and improvement therein by EC Technical Experts during their short-term assignment to Central Pollution Control Board. Under the project component, two training sessions for two CPCB Scientists each, were held at Environment Technology Centre (ETC), Ottawa, Canada.

As per the Biomedical Waste (Management and Handing) Rules, 2000, all the hospitals and nursing homes are required to provide treatment facilities for their wastes. EPCA has taken up the matter with concerned organizations i.e. Department of Environment, Department of Health and DPCC. As informed by the organizations, the status on installation of treatment facilities as on August 11, 2001 is as below

Detailed inspections were carried out in some of the selected hospitals in order to have a feel of implementation of Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998. An indexing system was developed, as shown in Table 14.3, to quantify the compliance scenario in the Bangalore City.

The estimation in the above table is based on the following negations recorded during the inspections:

As the nature and characteristics of leachate generated from various landfills varies to a large extent, the treatment scheme has to be selected on case to case basis. For the treatment of the leachate as generated in India based on the general characteristics, the following on-site treatment schemes would be feasible technically:

On-Site Treatment Options for Treatment of Leachate are:

During the study tour related to Development of National Emission Standard for Petrochemical industry at IPCL, Gandhar, it was reported by IPCL authorities that there was blow out of ONGC oil production well No. 345 located in Gandhar oil fields. The ONGC oil production well No. 345 is located in Gandhar oil fields near village Pakhajan. The distance of the well from IPCL Gandhar is around 25 Kilometers. The oil extraction capacity of the well is around 75 M³/hour and has depth of around 3800 meters. The Gandhar oil reservoir area is around 800 Sq. km.

The oil extraction pipe of production well seems to be damaged as a result of sabotage because of this. The crude oil & gas gushing out caught fire. It was observed that no fencing was provided near the well. The presence of oil & gas was observed coming out at very high force and forming thick smoke clouds in atmosphere. The ONGC has deployed crisis management team at the incident site for exploring the possibility to extinguish the fire.

The Central Board, in collaboration with concerned State Pollution Control Boards has initiated water quality monitoring at limited number of locations. The monitoring network was gradually augmented. At present there are 784 locations. The monitoring data are annually compiled, analysed and compared with desired water quality in different water bodies. Where ever gaps are observed especially with respect to pollution related indicators like Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), the water body is identified as polluted.

In 1988-89, CPCB identified 10 problem areas and 10 polluted river stretches to concentrate the pollution control efforts and the list of polluted stretches formed the basis for formulation of River Action Plan of the National River Conservation Directorate. The list was further extended based on increasing pollution problem in our country.

The water bodies having BOD more than 6 mg/l are identified as polluted water bodies. A list of such water bodies is placed ahead. The respective State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees have been requested to formulate action plan to restore the water quality of the water bodies.

In order to achieve the compliance of the water quality criteria in the 85 polluted river stretches identified, the following action is required: