AIR (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) ACT, 1981
06/December/2025 23:47
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Detailed Explanation + Simple Examples
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1. Introduction
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 was enacted by the Government of India to prevent, control, and reduce air pollution.
It was introduced after India participated in the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm Conference, 1972) and committed to protecting air quality.
This Act gives powers to Central and State Pollution Control Boards to:
Monitor air quality
Set emission standards
Control industrial and vehicular pollution
Take action against polluting units
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2. Meaning of Air Pollution (According to the Act)
Air pollution means the presence of any harmful substance in the atmosphere that:
Makes the air unsafe to breathe
Damages human health
Harms plants, animals, and property
Causes environmental imbalance
Harmful substances are called air pollutants, like smoke, dust, chemicals, gases, and fumes.
Example:
Smoke from thermal power plants or chemical industries releases sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which harm lungs and cause acid rain.
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3. Objectives of the Act
1. Prevent and control air pollution
2. Maintain air quality standards
3. Regulate industrial emissions
4. Establish Pollution Control Boards
5. Declare certain areas as Air Pollution Control Areas
6. Promote cleaner fuels and technologies
7. Penalize polluters
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4. Key Provisions of the Act (Explained Simply)
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1. Establishment of Pollution Control Boards
a) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Advises the central government
Sets national air quality standards
Coordinates with state boards
b) State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)
Grant consent/permits to industries
Check compliance with emission standards
Inspect and monitor factories
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2. Declaration of Air Pollution Control Areas
The State Government can declare any region as an Air Pollution Control Area.
Industries in these areas must:
Obtain a special license
Follow strict emission limits
Example:
Delhi NCR is an air pollution control area due to extremely high pollution levels.
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3. Consent to Establish and Operate
Industries must take permission from SPCB:
Before setting up a factory (Consent to Establish – CTE)
Before starting operations (Consent to Operate – CTO)
Without these consents, no industry can release emissions.
Example:
A cement factory must get consent before operating its furnaces.
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4. Setting Emission Standards
CPCB/SPCB sets limits for:
Smoke
Dust
Toxic gases
Chemical fumes
Vehicular emissions
Industries must install pollution control equipment like filters, scrubbers, and electrostatic precipitators.
Example:
Thermal power plants must use flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) to reduce sulphur emissions.
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5. Regulation of Fuels
The Act allows the government to control:
Type of fuel used
Quality of fuel
Standards for fuel combustion
Example:
Delhi banned diesel generators and forced conversion of public transport to CNG.
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6. Powers of Inspection
Pollution Control Boards can:
Enter factory premises
Collect air samples
Inspect machinery
Issue notices
Shut down polluting units
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7. Penalties for Violations
Anyone violating the Act can face:
Fines
Imprisonment (from 1 year to 6 years)
Closure of factories
Disconnection of electricity/water supply
Example:
A chemical plant releasing toxic ammonia gas without treatment can be immediately shut down and penalized.
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5. Real-Life Examples
1. Delhi’s Air Pollution Control Measures
Introduced Odd-Even vehicle rule
Forced industries to switch to cleaner fuels (CNG)
Ban on construction activities during pollution peaks
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2. Closure of Polluting Brick Kilns
Many states shut down brick kilns operating without proper pollution control equipment.
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3. Thermal Power Plants Regulation
Power plants in NCR were forced to install FGD units to control sulphur dioxide emissions.
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4. Ban on Burning Waste in Open Areas
Municipal bodies fined people and companies for burning garbage, which causes massive smoke pollution.
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5. Action Against Factories in Industrial Areas
Industries in Vapi, Ankleshwar, Bhiwadi, Kanpur, and Ludhiana faced penalties for violating air quality norms.
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6. Importance of the Act
Protects human health (reduces respiratory diseases)
Prevents environmental damage
Controls smog, acid rain, and climate change
Encourages industries to adopt clean technology
Maintains ecological balance
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7. Conclusion
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 is a crucial environmental law that helps India fight air pollution.
By regulating industries, vehicles, fuel usage, and emission standards, it ensures cleaner air and healthier living conditions.
