The Action Plans for improvement of air quality primarily contain phasing out of old vehicles, use of better quality fuel, improved system for checking of in-use vehicles, traffic management, etc. the respective State Pollution Control Board and State Environment Departments have submitted the Action Plans, which are at various stages of implementation. The status of implementation is reviewed by two high courts, Bhure Lal committee, the Ministry and CPCB.

In terms of metals/ elements, ions elemental carbon and organic carbon, in addition the CPCB, various agencies are carrying out studies on source apportionment of particulate matter in ambient air in six cities to identify percentage contribution of various sources to ambient particulate matter. Also, emission inventory is undertaken in six cities namely Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kanpur and Pune. Shortcomings in Air Pollution Control

• The non-availability of appropriate technology for controlling air pollution in SSI sector;

• The CETP type scheme is not possible for controlling air Pollution in SSI or medium scale industry;

• It is not possible to replace private vehicles even in phased manner so as to control air pollution due to vehicles ;

• The LPG natural gas or bio-gas as domestic fuel in urban and rural areas is not available for all the kitchens; and

• There is no control over geo-climatic conditions resulting in higher dust pollution in urban areas.

Scope for Improvement for Ambient Air

Air quality can be improved in terms of suspended solids (dust), carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen by following steps:

• Cleaning the urban roads and national highways with water jets and mechanical vacuum cleaner on daily basis;

• Grade separators, fly-over and under passes on all crossing;

• Strengthening public transport with respect to convenience , reliability and efficiency; and

• Setting of highly air pollution industry away from urban centres.

• Implementing the ban an open biomass and garbage burring.

Important Environmental Laws in the country

- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution ) Act, 1974;

- Air ( Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981;

- Water Cess Act; 1977

- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and rules there under.

- Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991;

- National Environmental Tribunal Act, 1995; and

- National Environmental Appellate Authority Act, 1997

- Legal and institutional framework to check pollution in the country

In addition to control and state Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees for UTs, the following 6 Environmental Authorities have been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986:

- The Central Ground Water Authority

- The Aqua Culture Authority;

- The Bahanu Taluka Environment (Protection) Authority;

- The Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control ) Authority for National Capital Region of Delhi;

- The Loss of Ecology (Prevention and Payment of Compensation ) Authority for State of Tamil Nadu; and

- The National Environmental Appellate Authority, 1997.