Reinventing the National Clean Air Programme
In January 2019, the Union Ministry of Environment launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to address alarming pollution levels in 131 cities and urban agglomerations. The ambitious aim was to reduce the concentration of particulate matter in these regions by up to 40% by 2025-26, supported by significant funding of ₹19,711 crore. With only a year remaining to meet these targets, it becomes critical to evaluate the effectiveness and challenges of this program.
Focused Progress or Ineffective Implementation?
According to the ministry’s Annual Report 2023-24, there has been visible improvement in the levels of PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns or less) in all 131 cities. However, a closer analysis reveals concerning patterns of fund utilization. The data shows that a major portion of the allocated funds remains underutilized, raising questions about the efficiency of implementation. These points to the urgent need for a more concerted effort to catch up with the targets set by the program.
Misdirected Investments & Questionable Metrics
A substantial portion of funds, approximately 64%, has been allocated to activities such as road maintenance and dust control, revolving around PM10, while neglecting the more harmful PM 2.5 particles emitted mainly from combustion sources. Furthermore, only a nominal percentage of funds has been directed towards controlling emissions from combustion sources and industrial pollution, which are major contributors to PM2.5. This skewed distribution of resources underscores the need for a more balanced and targeted approach to address the diverse sources of air pollution.
Rethinking Assessment Strategies
The evaluation criteria under NCAP primarily revolve around the reduction of PM10 levels, overshadowing the detrimental impact of PM2.5 particles, which are predominantly emitted by combustion sources. Moreover, the disconnect between the assessment strategies of NCAP and the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan (svs) program raises concerns. It is evident that the current methods of tracking progress and ensuring compliance are inadequate and require significant strengthening to yield meaningful results.
Transformative Recommendations for Clean Air
In light of these challenges, a series of transformative changes are imperative for the success of clean air initiatives:
1. Embracing PM2.5 as a Benchmark: Given its greater health implications, PM2.5 should be adopted as a more relevant indicator for assessing air quality improvement.
2. Aligning Policy Action with Air Quality Improvement: A robust mechanism for establishing the link between policy action and pollution levels is essential to drive meaningful progress.
3. Regional Cooperation and Holistic Approach: Recognizing that air pollution transcends city boundaries, a regional approach is crucial to curbing transboundary pollution and engaging smaller towns and rural areas in collective efforts.
4. National Policy Support for Local Action: National policies must provide robust support for local clean air initiatives, particularly related to industry, power plants, and waste management.
5. Implementing Polluter-Pays Principle: Designing taxation and pricing strategies with a focus on pollution control, and utilizing the generated revenue for targeted environmental action.
6. Establishing Sector-Specific Targets: Nurturing sector-specific action and funding to expedite progress in critical areas like waste management and emissions control.
As India’s cities strive to achieve clean air, a critical appraisal of the National Clean Air Programme reveals both progress and pitfalls. It is evident that a paradigm shift is essential, encompassing a recalibration of resources, assessment criteria, and regional cooperation. Only through a comprehensive and integrated approach, can India successfully reinvent its air pollution abatement strategies and pave the way for healthier and more sustainable urban environments.
The National Clean Air Programme holds the potential to usher in a new era of air quality management, provided it undergoes a thorough recalibration aligned with the evolving understanding of air pollution dynamics and mitigation strategies.
–Rashmi Kumari
