The National Clean Air Program (NCAP) stands as India’s pivotal initiative in combating the pervasive issue of air pollution, which poses a significant threat to public health and environmental sustainability. Instituted by the Government of India, the NCAP outlines a comprehensive framework aimed at mitigating air pollution levels across the nation through strategic interventions and regulatory measures. In a country where rapid industrialization, vehicular emissions, and urbanization contribute substantially to deteriorating air quality, the NCAP emerges as a beacon of hope, advocating for collective action and stringent enforcement to safeguard the health and well-being of its citizens. Through a combination of policy formulation, technological innovation, and public awareness campaigns, the program endeavors to curtail pollutants’ emissions and foster sustainable development practices. As the urgency to address air pollution escalates, the NCAP serves as a vital roadmap, guiding India towards a cleaner, healthier future for generations to come.
NCAP
- The Ministry of Environment initiated the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a pollution-control endeavor aimed at diminishing the concentration of coarse (particulate matter with a diameter of less than 10 micrometers, or PM10) and fine (particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, or PM2.5) particles.
- NCAP is designed to achieve a reduction in air pollution by 20-30% concerning Particulate Matter (PM10) concentrations in 131 cities by 2024, measured against the baseline of 2017.Â
- The program has been extended until 2025-26, with revised targets set at 40%.
- Under NCAP, city-specific action plans have been formulated, encompassing strategies to enhance the network of air quality monitors, mitigate vehicle and industrial emissions, promote public awareness, and more.
MANDATE OF NCAP
The objective of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is to achieve a 20%-30% reduction in the concentration of PM2.5 and PM10, using the year 2017 as the baseline for comparison, and to ensure compliance with annual average ambient air quality standards nationwide.
- As part of NCAP, 132 non-attainment cities have been identified based on Air Quality data from 2014-2018.
- The program involves the development of city-specific action plans, detailing measures to enhance monitoring networks, reduce vehicular and industrial emissions, and raise public awareness.
- To ensure effective implementation, Committees at both the Central and State levels, including the Steering Committee, Monitoring Committee, and Implementation Committee, are responsible for regularly monitoring the execution of city-specific action plans under NCAP.
OBJECTIVES OF NCAP
The objectives are as follows:
- Strengthening and enhancing ambient air quality monitoring networks nationwide to establish a comprehensive and reliable database.
- Establishing an efficient data dissemination and public outreach mechanism to facilitate timely measures for the prevention and mitigation of air pollution.
- Formulating a feasible management plan focused on the prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution.
PERFORMANCE OF NCAP
- Monitoring Stations: Out of the intended 1500 manual monitoring stations to be deployed nationwide, 818 have already been installed.
- Region-Specific Programs: City-specific action plans have been formulated for major cities like Delhi and Mumbai. All 131 cities in the country have developed City Action Plans and Micro Action Plans.
- PRANA Web Portal: The Portal for Regulation of Air Pollution in Non-Attainment Cities (PRANA) offers comprehensive information on various policies, programs, schemes, and activities of stakeholders. It also tracks the progress made toward improving air quality throughout the country.
- Improvement: In the year 2021-22, there has been a noticeable overall improvement in Particulate Matter concentration in 95 cities, with 20 cities now adhering to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, as opposed to the baseline year of 2017.
ISSUES FACING NCAP
- Unsatisfactory Performance: According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), only 14 out of 43 National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) cities achieved a 10% or more reduction in PM2.5 levels between 2019 and 2021. In contrast, 21 out of 46 non-NCAP cities showed significant improvement.
- Funding Issue: The Central Pollution Control Board, responsible for fund disbursal, primarily considers PM10 levels, neglecting PM2.5 monitoring due to equipment limitations. PM2.5 particles, known for their health hazards, are not monitored consistently in all cities.
- Compartmentalizing Rural-Urban Areas: The program concentrates on mitigating air pollution within cities but overlooks rural air pollution. However, cities like Delhi are heavily impacted by rural pollution, making city-centric efforts less effective.
- Sluggish Improvement: Progress in equipping manual stations with PM2.5 monitoring facilities is slow, with only 261 stations having such capabilities.
- Real-Time Monitoring Data Completeness: Almost a quarter of NCAP cities with real-time monitoring fail to meet the minimum data completeness requirement. In 2021, 24% of NCAP cities did not meet the standard, compared to 16% in 2019.
- No Carrying Capacity Studies: None of the 132 non-attainment cities have completed carrying capacity studies, which assess the region’s ability to manage emissions while maintaining breathable air quality. In 93 cities, the study is either underway or at the MoU/proposal stage.
EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO TACKLE AIR POLLUTION IN NCR
Measures to Combat Air Pollution in Delhi NCR:
- Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): Implemented since 2017, GRAP involves specific measures triggered when air quality deteriorates beyond a threshold. Actions include halting construction, restricting vehicular movement, and declaring holidays for schools and offices.
- Odd-Even Vehicles: Under this plan, vehicles with odd and even registration numbers alternate on the roads, reducing traffic volume.
- Peripheral Road Construction: The creation of western and eastern peripheral highways enables large commercial vehicles to bypass Delhi, lessening pollution impact.
- Ban on Old Fossil Fuel Vehicles: Delhi has prohibited diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old.
- Control Stubble Burning: Subsidies encourage farmers to adopt machinery reducing stubble burning. Fines are imposed for violations, and techniques to expedite stubble decomposition are promoted.
- Vehicle Norms: Vehicles in Delhi-NCR must adhere to Bharat Stage VI norms, contributing to pollution reduction.
- Electric Vehicles Promotion: The government is actively promoting electric vehicles as an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuel vehicles.
- Ban on Firecrackers: To curb air pollution, the Delhi government has banned the bursting of firecrackers.
FAQs-National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
1. What is the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)?
A: The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is an initiative by the Ministry of Environment to control air pollution in India. It focuses on reducing the concentration of coarse (PM10) and fine (PM2.5) particles, aiming for a 20-30% reduction in PM10 concentrations in 131 cities by 2024, based on the 2017 baseline.
2. How has NCAP been extended, and what are the revised targets?
A: NCAP has been extended until 2025-26, with revised targets set at a 40% reduction in air pollution, specifically PM10 concentrations.
3. What are the city-specific action plans under NCAP?
A: City-specific action plans under NCAP include measures to enhance air quality monitoring networks, reduce vehicle and industrial emissions, raise public awareness, and more.
4. What is the mandate of NCAP regarding air quality standards?
A: The mandate of NCAP is to achieve a 20-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, using 2017 as the baseline, and ensure compliance with annual average ambient air quality standards nationwide.
5. How many non-attainment cities have been identified under NCAP, and what actions are being taken?
A: 132 non-attainment cities have been identified under NCAP, and city-specific action plans are developed to strengthen monitoring networks, reduce emissions, and raise public awareness.
6. What committees monitor the implementation of city-specific action plans under NCAP?
A: Committees at both the Central and State levels, including the Steering Committee, Monitoring Committee, and Implementation Committee, regularly monitor the execution of city-specific action plans.
7. How many monitoring stations have been installed under NCAP, and what is the overall improvement observed?
A: Out of 1500 intended manual monitoring stations, 818 have been installed. There has been an overall improvement in PM concentrations in 95 cities, with 20 cities meeting the National Ambient Air Quality Standards in 2021-22.
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