National Clean Air Programme, Key Features and Significane

Context: The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) launched by the Indian government aimed to reduce the concentration of particulate matter (PM) in the air by 20-30% reduction by 2024 from 2017 levels, but this target was later revised to 40% by 2026.

About National Clean Air Programme

• Launched: in 2019 by the Ministry of Forest Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
• This initiative targets the reduction of PM10 levels by implementing diverse measures.

Key Features of NCAP

• Ambitious Targets: Reduce Particulate Matter (PM10 & PM2.5) concentration by 20-30% by 2024 (base year 2017), revised to 40% by 2026.
• City-Centric Approach: Focus on 122 identified non-attainment cities with poor air quality (based on 2014-2018 data). Each city develops a specific action plan.
• Multi-Level Collaboration: Encourages cooperation between central ministries, state governments, and local bodies for a unified effort.
• Policy Synergy: Integrates well with existing policies like the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) for a holistic approach.
• Adaptability: Evolves based on new scientific and technical information to ensure effectiveness.
• Enhanced Monitoring: Increases the number of air quality monitoring stations, including rural areas, for better data collection and analysis.
• Public Engagement: Prioritises public awareness campaigns, training programs, and research & development to empower stakeholders.

Challenges Associated with NCAP

• Funding Utilisation: The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has allocated ₹10,422.73 crore to support these efforts.
  • Despite most cities submitting their Clean Air Action Plans (CAAPs), the execution has been uneven.
  • On average, cities have used only 60% of the allocated funds.
  • Visakhapatnam and Bengaluru notably spent 0% and 1% of their funds, respectively.
• Implementation Issues: Delays in approvals from authorities, the lack of standard operating procedures, bureaucratic hurdles, and scepticism about the effectiveness of certain measures such as smog towers.

• Limited Data and Modelling:
  • Only 37% of cities completed Emissions Inventory (EI) and Source Apportionment (SA) studies.
  • NCAP relies on concentration data, not accounting for pollution sources outside city limits.
  • Many existing measures focus only on primary PM emissions, neglecting secondary precursors.
  • Lack of Air Quality (AQ) forecasting infrastructure in most cities.
• Major cities far behind targets: Most Indian cities are unlikely to meet the revised 40% air pollution reduction target by 2026, falling short of the initial 2024 benchmark.
• Pollution widespread: Non-attainment cities, peri-urban areas, and even villages are experiencing significant air pollution.
• Air quality exceeding limits: PM2.5 and PM10 levels surpass the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in most cities.
  • Only 7 out of 93 cities (less than 10%) met the PM10 standard (60 µg/m3) in 2023.
  • 32 cities achieved the PM2.5 standard (40 µg/m3).
• Deteriorating PM10 levels:
  • PM10 levels worsened in 22 out of 46 monitored cities over the past five years.
  • Only 8 cities achieved the initial 20-30% pollution reduction target.
  • Durgapur (West Bengal) is the worst performer, with PM10 levels surging over 53% (from 77.2 µg/m3 in 2019 to 118.2 µg/m3 in 2023).
  • Four Maharashtra cities (Thane, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Aurangabad) also show significant worsening.
• 5 improvements and setbacks:
  • Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) shows the most significant improvement, with a 63% reduction in PM2.5 concentration since 2019.
  • Talcher (Odisha) follows closely.
  • Conversely, Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) witnessed the worst PM2.5 deterioration (47% increase). Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) is a close second.
• Mumbai’s struggles: As a metropolis, Mumbai performed the worst, with its PM10 level increasing by 37% in the last five years.

Recommendations For Success

• Utilise shared, standardized technical evaluations to reduce red tape.
• Prior budgeting and time management for performance-based funding.
• Technical feasibility, budgeting, and time estimates in initial plans.
• A multifaceted approach combining science, strategic funds, and swift implementation.
• More stringent actions are needed to control dust emissions, minimise biomass burning, and restrict solid fuel and waste burning. This will help reduce particulate matter, especially PM2.5.

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