The steps taken by the Union Government to mitigate air pollution in cities in the country include the following:-
(i) Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards envisaging 12 pollutants;
(ii) Formulation of environmental regulations / statutes;
(iii) Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality;
(iv) Introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel, ethanol blend etc. replacing petrol and diesel;
(v) Promotion of cleaner production processes;
Taking note of the gravity of Air Pollution, the Government has taken some more measures, which include:
(i) Launched National Air Quality index by the Prime Minister in April, 2015 starting with 10 cities and now extended to 23 cities;
(ii) Implementation of Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) norms in 63 selected cities and universalization of BS-IV by 2017;
(iii) Decision taken to leapfrog directly from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards by 1st April, 2020;
(iv) Comprehensive review of all Waste Management Rules including Municipal Solid Waste, Plastic Waste, Hazardous Waste, Bio-medical Waste and Electronic Waste.
(v) Ban on burning of leaves, biomass, municipal solid waste;
(vi) Promotion of public transport network of metro, buses, e-rickshaws and promotion of car pooling, Pollution Under Control, lane discipline, vehicle maintenance;
(vii) Revision of existing environmental standards and formulation of new standards for prevention and control of pollution from industries.
(viii) Regular co-ordination meetings at official and ministerial level with Delhi and other State Governments within the NCR.
(ix) Issuance of directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and under Section 18(1)(b) of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
(x) Installation of on-line continuous (24×7) monitoring devices by major industries.