Why in the News?
In 2024, India marks five years of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in January 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The program was initiated to combat the country’s escalating air pollution crisis, which claims over 1.6 million lives annually and costs the economy 1.4% of GDP.
About NCAP
Objective:
To reduce PM10 and PM2.5 (particulate matter) concentrations by 20–30% by 2024 and 40% by 2025–26 (using 2017 as the base year) across 131 non-attainment cities (NACs) and Million Plus Cities.
Key Features:
- Target Cities:
- Non-attainment cities (NACs): Identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for consistently exceeding National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) over five years. Examples include Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Patna.
- Million Plus Cities: Urban centers with populations exceeding 1 million.
- Implementation Framework:
- National Level: Coordinated by CPCB, which allocates funds and monitors progress.
- State/City Level: City Action Plans (CAPs) developed by state governments and municipal bodies. CAPs include measures like:
- Expanding public transport.
- Promoting electric vehicles (EVs).
- Controlling industrial and construction emissions.
- Waste management and green cover enhancement.
- PRANA Portal:
- A digital platform to track real-time progress, fund utilization, and air quality improvements.
Progress After 5 Years
- Air Quality Trends:
- Mixed Results: While cities like Varanasi and Ahmedabad saw 20–30% PM reduction, others like Delhi and Mumbai lag due to population density and industrial activity.
- Overall Reduction: CPCB reports a 10–18% decline in PM levels in 95 cities (as of 2023), but progress is uneven.
- Funding:
- ₹9,631 crore allocated since 2019; however, underutilization remains a challenge. For instance, only 60% of funds were spent by states in 2022–23.
- Challenges:
- Interagency Coordination: Overlapping responsibilities between central, state, and municipal bodies.
- Data Gaps: Limited real-time monitoring stations in smaller cities.
- Public Awareness: Low community participation in mitigation efforts.
Complementary Initiatives
- National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP):
- Tracks air quality across 804 stations in India, providing data for policy formulation.
- Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP):
- Emergency measures (e.g., odd-even vehicle rules, construction bans) activated during severe pollution episodes in Delhi-NCR.
- Bharat Stage VI (BS VI) Standards:
- Enforced since 2020, reducing vehicular emissions of NOx, CO, and PM by 50–80%.
- FAME Scheme:
- Promotes EV adoption via subsidies, aiming for 30% EV penetration by 2030.
Criticisms and Way Forward
- Criticisms:
- Non-binding Targets: NCAP lacks legal enforceability, relying on voluntary compliance.
- Focus on Cities: Neglects rural areas contributing to pollution (e.g., stubble burning).
- Future Steps:
- Expand Coverage: Include more cities and rural hotspots.
- Strengthen Monitoring: Increase air quality sensors and integrate satellite data.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Leverage corporate CSR funds for green projects.
Conclusion:
While NCAP has laid a foundation for cleaner air, achieving its 2026 targets demands enhanced funding, stricter enforcement, and inclusive policies. The program’s success is critical to India’s public health and its global climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).