New Delhi, Nov. 18 (ANI): The Government on Wednesday announced the Revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards-2009, which provides a legal framework for control of air pollution and protection of public health and any citizen can approach the court demanding better air quality.

The national ambient air quality standards have been revised after a gap of 15 years.

“We have notified the national ambient air quality standards. It brings the ambient air quality standards in India to European levels and in many cases it exceeds the standard prevalent even in the USA,” Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh, told reporters in New Delhi.

The revision of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, was undertaken by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in consultation with the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.

Ramesh also pointed out that the revised standards for air quality would be same for industrial area and residential areas.

“We have removed the distinction between industrial areas and residential areas. This is very important. So far we had a lower standard in industrial areas as compared to residential areas. Now standards will be uniform irrespective of whether it is classified as industrial area or a residential area,” Ramesh said.

The new guidelines have been prepared after considering the norms of the European Union as well as the World Health Organisation. (ANI)