Affidavit before HC: MoEF admits city pollution, blames other agencies

kolkata, April 25 The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests(MoEF) admitted in its affidavit in the Calcutta High Court on Friday that the Suspended Particulate Matter(SPM) and the Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) in the air in Kolkata exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standard due to a number of factors, including a large percentage of dust in the air. Holding other agencies responsible for it, the MoEF sought for a High Court order outlining the steps to control air pollution in the city.

In March this year, the Calcutta High Court had directed the MoEF to state what it had done to reduce the air pollution in the city. In response, it filed a detailed affidavit today. Regarding the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) supply, the MoEF said that it was the duty of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas to inform the court in the matter. In April 2004, the Calcutta High Court had directed the Union government to ensure the supply of CNG and LPG in Kolkata. Four years hence, the MoEF is delegating this responsibility to the petroleum ministry.

The MoEF also claimed that it was the duty of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) to monitor the air pollution level in Kolkata and take the necessary steps in this regard.

Regarding the phasing out of old vehicles, the affidavit stated that the Union Ministry for Surface Transport and State Transport Department is supposed to monitor it. The MoEF suggested that the state transport department and the WBPCB should strictly enforce the regulations on the issue.