Goals set under NCAP
Context
New goals have been set under NCAP for the year 2023-24.
Relevance:
GS-03 (Environment)
Key Highlights
- Launch and Objective: NCAP was launched in January 2019 by MoEF&CC to improve air quality in 131 non-attainment and Million Plus Cities across 24 States/UTs.
- Reduction Targets: The programme aims for a 20-30% reduction in PM10 concentrations by 2024-25, with a revised target of up to 40% reduction or meeting national standards by 2025-26.
- City-Specific Targets: City-specific targets range from 4-15% reduction in annual PM10 concentrations.
- Good Days Improvement: An annual target of 15% improvement in “Good Days” (Air Quality Index <200) has been prescribed for 49 Million Plus cities.
- Funding: Four cities in Gujarat (Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat, and Vadodara) received Rs. 1085.42 crore till 2023-24 under NCAP and the XVth Finance Commission Million Plus Cities Challenge Fund.
- Air Quality Improvement: All four cities in Gujarat showed a reduction in PM10 levels ranging from 21-40% in 2023-24 compared to the base year 2017-18.
Significance
- Reduction in Pollution Levels: Significant reductions in PM10 levels were observed in Gujarat cities—Ahmedabad (40%), Rajkot (39%), Surat (21%), and Vadodara (29%)—showing effective implementation of NCAP.
- Health Benefits: Improving air quality reduces health risks associated with air pollution, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
- Environmental Impact: Better air quality contributes to overall environmental health, supporting biodiversity and reducing the adverse effects of pollution on ecosystems.
- Economic Advantages: Reducing pollution can lower healthcare costs and increase productivity by decreasing the number of sick days among the workforce.
- Global Standards: Achieving the revised target of up to 40% reduction or meeting national standards by 2025-26 aligns India with global efforts to combat air pollution.
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
- Launch and Objective: NCAP was initiated in January 2019 with the aim to improve air quality in India through city-specific action plans, focusing on cities continuously violating annual PM levels.
- Mitigation and Monitoring: The programme emphasizes stringent mitigation measures to control air pollution, strengthening the air quality monitoring network across the country, and enhancing public awareness and capacity-building efforts.
Performance and Infrastructure:
- Air information centers at central and regional levels were planned, but by December 2023, only the central PRANA portal by CPCB was functional.
- While Delhi has a functional air pollution forecasting system, other non-attainment cities lag behind.
Monitoring Stations:
- NCAP aimed to increase manual monitoring stations from 703 to 1,500 by 2024, but only 931 were operational by December 2023.
- The goal for 150 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) was surpassed, with 531 stations operational.
- Rural Monitoring: The rural monitoring network includes 26 manual stations, with efforts to establish 100 stations by 2024 yet to be fully realized.
Conclusion:
Data shows that NCAP has had a substantial impact in reducing PM10 concentrations in Gujarat cities, reflecting the programme’s potential to bring about significant improvements in air quality across the country. This success underscores the importance of continued efforts and investments in air quality management initiatives.
