Parliament Question: Assessment of contaminated sites

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3096 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2026 Assessment of contaminated sites 3096. SHRI MASTHAN RAO YADAV BEEDHA: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) the number of contaminated sites identified, determined and remediated in the country, particularly in Andhra Pradesh under the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025; (b) the number of such sites for which preliminary and detailed assessments have been completed so far; (c) the number of sites where remediation plans have been prepared, approved and implemented; (d) the funds sanctioned and utilised for these activities; and (e) the steps taken to address orphan sites and enhance coordination between local bodies and the Pollution Control Board for speedy implementation? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) to (d): As reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a total of 196 sites have been identified in 18 States/ Union Territory Administrations across the country, out of which, 103 sites have been identified as contaminated sites and 93 have been identified as probable contaminated sites. Detailed site investigation has been initiated at 15 sites by the responsible parties/ State Governments, remediation plans have been prepared for 10 sites and remediation work by the responsible parties has been undertaken at 7 sites. As reported by Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, no contaminated site has been identified in Andhra Pradesh. (e): The Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025, was notified on 24th July 2025. As per clause 13 of Rule 5 of the notified rules, where the responsible person is not identified, the State Pollution Control Board or the Pollution Control Committee shall, on its own or through the reference organisation, prepare a remediation plan within six months from the date of publication of the contaminated site for undertaking remediation of the contaminated site and shall initiate remediation through the reference organisation, within ninety days from the finalisation of the remediation plan. *****