Government to set up air pollution research institute

New Delhi: Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said the government is planning to an air pollution research institute to study the impact of pollution and to handle the issue better. Asking States to tighten the noose around municipal corporations for not complying with environment rules, Javadekar said the ministry has filed cases against five municipalities in National Green Tribunal for non-compliance.

The minister was speaking at a two-day conference of Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees of all states participated by their Chairmen and Member Secretaries. The minister stressed upon the need to organise similar conferences on a regular basis for active participation of states in capacity building.

Prakash Javadekar said “We need to do some research on air pollution as we do in other fields. So, we have thought of creating a new air pollution research institute…It will provide added information to the people and to the government, which will help us in better governance.”

He added “We want to hear suggestions from states. So, we will do separate conferences on air pollution, environment and forests. There will be two workshop in a year at the central level and one at a general level as an effort to build capacity.”