Marginal decrease in pollution even after three years of launch of NCAP

Last Updated01/02/2022

Analysis of pollution data by NCAP Tracker shows that there has been a marginal decrease in pollution levels in targeted cities even after three years into the launch of India’s National Clean Air Program (NCAP) in 2019
It also shows insufficient expenditure of funds by the states to ensure air pollution reduction

It is a long-term, time-bound, national-level strategy to tackle the increasing air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner.
Its objective is to comprehensively manage plans for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution, besides augmenting the air quality monitoring network across the country.
It was launched in 2019 to address air pollution in 102 cities, to which 30 more cities were added later.
These 132 cities are called non-attainment cities as they did not meet the national ambient air quality standards for the 2011-15 under the National Air Quality Monitoring Program.
The NCAP has set a target of reducing key air pollutants PM10 and PM2.5 (ultra-fine particulate matter) by 20-30% by 2024, taking the pollution levels in 2017 as the base year.

It is a policy tracker with updates on NCAP implementation and its effectiveness.
It analyses the air quality data compiled from government-run monitoring stations and reviews the programme’s progress in achieving the 2024 national clean air targets.
It is a joint project by news portal 'Carbon Copy' and a Maharashtra-based start-up 'Respirer Living Sciences'
It is designed to track India's progress in achieving the clean air targets
It has ranked Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh as the most polluted city out of the 132 non-attainment cities listed under the NCAP with highest levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10.
Delhi was the second most polluted city in the list of cities with the highest PM 2.5 level and fourth in cities with the highest PM 10 level.

Air pollution in India has been deteriorated significantly over the past two decades
It is the second largest risk factor contributing to the country’s disease burden.
According to IQAS 2019 World Air Quality Report, India is home to 21 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world.
The Lancet Planetary Health report has found that over 50 percent of deaths attributed to air pollution in India occur in just five Indian States.

On Environment: it causes acid rain, eutrophication of water bodies, Ozone depletion, global warming,etc
On human health: it causes various diseases like respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer
On Economy: it reduces agricultural crop and commercial forest yields which ultimately impacts nations’ economy

Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB) : apex organisation in the country in the field of pollution control.
National Air Quality Index (AQI): It is an index for reporting daily air quality.
The higher the index’s value, the greater the level of air pollution
It measures 8 elements in air namely Particulate Matter 2.5,Ozone,Carbon monoxide, Ammonia,Lead,Nitrogen oxide, Sulphur dioxide and PM 10
FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (hybrid &) Electric vehicles) scheme: It has been launched to give impetus to adoption of e vehicles in order to counter vehicular pollution
Adoption of BS VI vehicles for better engine efficiency and lesser vehicular emission
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is provided under this scheme in order to reduce indoor air pollution caused by burning of wood and other unclean cooking fuels
Banning of Firecrackers in Delhi NCR to reduce increased level of air pollution in the area

Lack of governance
Lack of political will
Lack of public participation in government programmes
Technological gaps
Lack of adequate data related to air pollution which hinders national level monitoring of it
Lower allocation of funds by budget for it

Combating air pollution is a public concern and everyone's responsibility. So organised and coordinated efforts with active participation from all stakeholders are required. This should involve the national, state, and municipal governments, as well as cities, the general public, and people. Furthermore, policies that envision a healthy energy transition and a healthy urban planning transition are required.