India revises air quality standards after 15 years

New Delhi, Nov 18

With pollution level rising across the country, India Wednesday revised the national ambient air quality standards after 15 years.

"We have notified the ambient air quality standards in India which is equivalent to the European level and exceeds the standard prevalent in the US," Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said.

The revised ambient air quality standards provide a legal framework for the control of air pollution and the protection of public health and any citizen can approach the court demanding better air quality.

Under the revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), 12 pollutants will be measured compared to six in the previous to calculate the level of air pollution.

The revised NAAQS notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) Monday have been prepared by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in consultation with the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.

"The most important part of the revised standards is that distinction between industrial and residential ares have been removed. Now, industries have to conform to the same standards as residential areas and will be compelled to take necessary measures to check air pollution," said Ramesh.

Last updated on Nov 18^th, 2009 at 17:51 pm IST--IANS

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