Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in January 2019 to improve air quality in 130 cities through National, State, and City level clean air action plans. Performance-linked grants have been provided to these cities for implementing air pollution mitigation measures. The MoEFCC and State Pollution Control Boards monitor pollution control measures, especially in cities with significant mining activities.
Key Points / Main Content:
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):
* Launched in January 2019 by MoEFCC to improve air quality in 130 non-attainment and million-plus cities.
* Provides performance-linked grants (₹13,036.52 crore) to implement air pollution mitigation measures.
* Cities with mining activities (e.g., Dhanbad, Jamshedpur) have prepared city-specific Clean Air Action Plans.
Monitoring and Compliance:
* MoEFCC Regional Offices monitor pollution control measures by mining activities to ensure compliance with Environment Clearance conditions.
* State Pollution Control Boards monitor pollution control measures through the Consent Mechanism under air and water pollution control acts.
* 17 categories of high pollution potential industries, including mining, must install Online Continuous Effluent/Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS).
Environmental Clearances and Standards:
* Environmental Clearance (EC) is mandatory for coal mining, sponge iron, and steel plants before commencement, as per the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006.
* MoEFCC has prescribed air quality standards for coal mines and iron ore mining industries under the Environment Protection Rules, 1986.
* Guidelines for coal handling and crushing plants have been issued to prevent and control air pollution.
Specific State Initiatives:
* Odisha: Action plan prepared by SPCB for pollution abatement in three industrial polluted areas with mining activities.
* Maharashtra: Water sprinklers installed and operated at coal mines near Chandrapur to control air pollution.
* Jharkhand: Dhanbad Nagar Nigam intensified regulatory oversight on mining units. The State Pollution Control Board issued advisories and held consultative meetings with mining industries. Water sprinkling, mechanical sweeping, paving, greening, and vertical gardens implemented in Dhanbad.
Impact Analysis:
Mining Industries:
* Impact: Must adhere to stricter pollution control measures, install OCEMS, comply with environmental standards and clearance requirements, and cooperate with monitoring efforts.
* Action Required: Implement pollution control measures, obtain necessary environmental clearances, install and maintain OCEMS, and comply with advisories and directives from regulatory bodies.
State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees:
* Impact: Responsible for monitoring and enforcing pollution control measures by mining operations.
* Action Required: Monitor compliance, enforce regulations under the Air and Water Acts, develop and implement action plans for polluted areas, and conduct consultative meetings with industries.
Cities Located Near Mining Activities (e.g., Dhanbad, Chandrapur):
* Impact: Benefit from improved air quality through the implementation of Clean Air Action Plans and pollution control measures.
* Action Required: Implement city-specific Clean Air Action Plans, utilize performance-linked grants for mitigation measures, and engage in activities to reduce pollution such as water sprinkling and greening projects.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC):
* Impact: Oversees and supports the implementation of the NCAP and monitors the environmental compliance of mining activities.
* Action Required: Continue to provide financial and technical support to cities and states, monitor the effectiveness of implemented measures, and enforce environmental regulations.
Key Entities Referenced
National Clean Air Programme: A programme launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in January 2019 to improve air quality in 130 non-attainment cities and Million Plus Cities in 24 States/UTs.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environment protection and climate change.
Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006: An Indian environmental regulation that mandates Environmental Clearance (EC) for certain projects, including mining, before commencement.
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981: An Indian law to control and prevent air pollution.
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974: An Indian law to control and prevent water pollution.
Environment Protection Rules, 1986: Rules under which MoEFCC has prescribed air quality standards for coal mines and iron ore mining industries.
Odisha: A state in India where three industrial polluted areas including mining activities have been identified.
Maharashtra: A state in India where measures have been taken to control air pollution caused by coal mines near Chandrapur city.
OIH
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2525
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
Air Pollution near Mining Areas
2525. SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government has taken steps to reduce the level of pollution in the cities
located near source of mining activities;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any programme with cooperation of the State Governments to control the air
pollution is likely to be proposed by the Government; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (d): National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched by Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in January 2019 with an aim to improve air quality in
130 cities (non-attainment cities and Million- Plus Cities in 24 States/UTs through
implementation of National, State and City level clean air action plans. Performance linked grant
of ₹ 13,036.52 crore has been provided to 130 cities as a critical gap funding to implement air
pollution mitigation measures, during 2019-20 till date.
Several cities under NCAP, such as Dhanbad, Jamshedpur, Ranchi, Korba, Raipur, Angul,
Talcher, Rourkela, Chandrapur, etc. are associated with significant mining activities. These
cities have accordingly prepared city specific Clean Air Action Plans to mitigate air pollution
arising from mining activities.
MoEFCC Regional Offices monitor the pollution control measures implemented by mining
activities to verify the compliance of conditions specified under Environment Clearance granted
under Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.
Further, concerned State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees monitor the
pollution control measures undertaken by mining operations through the Consent Mechanism
under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Water (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
In addition, all 17 categories of high pollution potential industries (including industries
associated with mining operations) have been directed to install Online Continuous Effluent/Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) for strengthening monitoring mechanism and effective
compliance through self-regulatory mechanism and constant vigil on pollution levels.
The Government has made it mandatory to obtain Environmental Clearance (EC) before
commencement of Coal Mining, Sponge Iron Plant and Steel Plant under the Environment
Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 from Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change (MoEFCC)/ State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).
MoEFCC has prescribed air quality standards for coal mines and iron ore mining industries
under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986. Further, Guidelines for coal handling and
crushing plant have been issued for preventing and controlling air pollution from handling of
coal and raw materials. These standards are implemented by mining industries and enforced by
concerned State Pollution Control Boards.
Three industrial polluted areas including mining activities have been identified in Odisha. An
action plan for abatement of pollution in this area have been prepared by SPCB, Odisha , which
also covers air quality measures in cities and town located in such industrial area.
In Maharashtra, to control air pollution caused by coal mines near Chandrapur city, water
sprinklers have been installed and are operated regularly along roadsides, at coal handling
facilities, and within mining areas.
In Jharkhand, Dhanbad Nagar Nigam has intensified regulatory oversight on mining unit to
ensure adherence of environmental standards. In this regard, advisories have been issued by
Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board and consultative meetings were held with mining
industries to promote awareness and accountability to ensure compliance with air pollution
control norms. Regular water sprinkling and mechanical sweeping activities have been
undertaken to control pollution from road dust. Further, paving and black topping of roads,
greening of open areas and vertical gardens have been developed in Dhandbad city.
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