Events of CSEC
Patna, January 29. The Centre for Environment Energy and Climate Change (CEECC) at Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI), a policy research think tank had organised a Validation and Consultation Workshop for Patna Clean Air Action Plan (PCAAP) on January 29, 2019 at Hotel Panache. The workshop’s keynote address was delivered by Shri Tripurari Sharan, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Govt. of Bihar. The objective of this workshop was stakeholders consultation and validation the research findings of city’s emissions inventory and techno-economic assessment of the identified control measures the finalization on the implementation of the PCAAP.
In the welcome address, Dr. Shaibal Gupta, Member Secretary, ADRI explained the relevance of the project mentioning that Patna is ranked as the fifth most polluted city in the world and the air pollution has direct negative implications on the social life, behaviour and even happiness index of citizens.
Dr. Abinash Mohanty, Director, CEECC gave the context setting address by describing the background of Patna Clean Air Action Plan Project. He also mentioned that controlling air pollution can prevent 2 million premature deaths by 2030 and by addressing the legislation gaps these targets can be achieved.
Dr. Ashok Kumar Ghosh, Chairman, BSPCB in his speech addressed the critical issue of impact of air pollution on human health. He also mentioned that Bihar is also bearing the burden of air pollution due to highly polluting neighbouring states of UP and West Bengal and said that Clean Air Action Plan highlights the point of having “Good Neighbour’s”.
Dr. Jai Asundi from CSTEP stated that the exercise has been a very rigorous one, which included all line departments accordance to the control measures.
Shri Tripurari Saran, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Bihar indicated that Bihar has been lagging in taking measures on air pollution compared to other capital cities of India. He agreed that biomass burning is one of the major causes of air pollution which could not be controlled even after the successful implementation of Ujjwala Scheme. He has recommended having an educational tool kit on environment in the syllabus of the schools.
Special address was delivered by Shri Sanjay Kumar Agrawal, Secretary, Department of Transport and he stated that variation in AQI is a matter of great concern. As transport sector is major contributor to the air pollution, they are committed to all possible ways to mitigate it.
The workshop had a session on the following major findings presented by Dr. Sarath Guttikunda, Urban Emissions and Dr. Pratima Singh, CSTEP:
· Under Business As Usual scenario an increase of 48% is very likely in the PM2.5 level from the current level till 2030.
· level of PM2.5 can be reduced up to 59% based on the implementation of the control measures such as introduction of BS6 in 2020, CNG/EV for private and public vehicles, PUC enforcement, , control in construction site dust, zigzag for all brick kilns, control open burning and no kerosene or low Gen-Sets.
The final session on implementation of the PCAAP chaired by Shri Chaitanya Prasad, Principal Secretary, Department of Urban Development, Government of Bihar who stated that the target should be set till 2025 and we need to aggressively work towards it.
The session had a presentation from Mr. A. S. Harinath, Senior Environmental Specialist from World Bank. He outlaid that World Bank committed to provide support to Patna Clean Air Action Plan.
Member Secretary, BSPCB, highlighted that the state machineries have fully supported to the initiative the PCAAP and made it possible to become a model plan for the country. The session was moderated by Mr. Siddharth Chatpalliwar, Programme Manager, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation.
**********
Brief Details: One day “Validation and Consultation Workshop for Patna Clean Air Action Plan” is organised by the Centre for Environment, Energy and Climate Change (CEECC), at ADRI in collaboration with Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) on January 29, 2019, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM at Hotel Panache, Patna to discuss on the aims and objectives of developing Patna Clean Air Action Plan and its convergence with National Clean Air Action Programme. The workshop is envisaged to validate the baseline emission inventory developed and updated through primary survey during the project phase and presentation of the techno-economic analysis of the shortlisted control measures for further discussion with stakeholders and its validation.
Hence, in this context the “Validation and Consultation Workshop for Patna Clean Air Action Plan” has been organised to present the current status of air quality of Patna and it sectorial impacts. The workshop will also highlight the action area and prerequisite policy guidance through panel discussions and consultation from experts across the country. The workshop will be inaugurated by Shri Sushil Kumar Modi, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. The workshop will be attended by experts from all across the country.