Euro-IV emission norms from April 1

Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh has said he hopes the environment cess proposed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee would be utilised for clean-up activities in the 88 critically polluted industrial clusters identified by the environment ministry.

Listing some of the steps that are being taken for cleaner air quality, he said, from April 1, all vehicles would have to comply with Euro-IV emission norms across 13 major cities. Euro-III emission norms would be applicable across the country later this year. In addition, lead pollution standards had been tightened and attention was now being paid to mercury pollution, the minister added.

Ramesh was speaking at a programme organised by the Aspen Institute, India, Confederation of Indian Industry and WWF.

He said there was now evidence of mercury entering to water and food chain. However, he admitted that ensuring these standards get implemented was the difficult part. He was hopeful that once the green tribunal Bill was cleared by Parliament and the National Environment Protection Authority set up, it would provide a mechanism for redressal.

Ramesh also pointed out that pollution and public health interface needed to be looked at more closely.

He said in Bathinda, Pujnab, the growing incidence of cancer was being linked to environmental pollution. In Chandrapur (Maharashtra), the fourth most polluted cluster in the country, the incidence of respiratory tract problems in children was increasing.