New Delhi: Air pollution is increasing at an alarming rate in the country with the national capital being one of the 10 cities where nitrogen dioxide levels have exceeded prescribed standards, Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh has said.
"Nitrogen dioxide levels are exceeding the prescribed standards in 10 cities, namely Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Asansol, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, Faridabad, Meerut, Patna and Pune. There is an increasing trend of nitrogen dioxide levels in Asansol and Bengaluru," Ramesh said.
"The levels of fine particulate matter are exceeding in all cities with the exception of Kochi and Madurai," he added.
Presenting the data of increasing fine particulate matter in four metros -- Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai -- from 2007-09 in the Lok Sabha Wednesday, the minister said: "Air pollution is increasing because of urbanisation, increase in population, increase in the number of vehicles, industrialisation and the likes".
"Various steps have been taken by the government to reduce air pollution."
IANS
