Indian Cities falling short on Clean Air Targets

Indian Cities falling short on Clean Air Targets

News: Recently, a study conducted by Climate Trends and Respire Living Sciences indicates that a significant majority of cities are falling short of India’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) targets for clean air.

Key Findings:
• Among 49 cities with consistent PM2.5 data, only 27 demonstrated a decline, and merely four met or surpassed the targeted reduction set by the National Clean Air Campaign (NCAP) Goals. NCAP aims for a 40% reduction in average PM concentrations by 2026 in 131 cities.
• The Indo Gangetic Plains (IGP), housing 18 of the top 20 most polluted cities for PM2.5, remains highly vulnerable to elevated particulate matter concentrations.
• Guwahati and Rourkela, outside the IGP, were among the 20 most polluted cities for PM2.5.
• Varanasi, Agra, and Jodhpur exhibited notable reductions, while Delhi reported marginal declines (5.9%) or increased pollution loads. Varanasi showcased the most substantial reduction, with a 72% average decrease in PM2.5 levels and a 69% reduction in PM10 levels from 2019 to 2023.
• Many Indian cities lack an adequate number of monitoring stations, with only four out of 92 cities having more than 10 such stations. Mumbai and Delhi, in contrast, boast several monitoring stations.

What is the National Clean Air programme?
• The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in January 2019, represents a pioneering initiative in India for comprehensive air quality management.
• The primary objective is to establish a national framework for air quality management with a targeted reduction in average particulate matter (PM) concentrations. It aims for a 40% reduction by 2026.
• The program encompasses 131 non-attainment cities identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Non-attainment cities are those failing to meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for over five years.
• Monitored pollutants under NAAQS include PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, CO, NH3, Ozone, Lead, Benzene, Benzo-Pyrene, Arsenic, and Nickel.
• The implementation of NCAP is monitored through the PRANA (Portal for Regulation of Air-pollution in Non-Attainment cities) portal.