National Clean Air Programme: According to authorities, the Centre has updated its former objective of a 20 to 30 percent reduction by 2024 to a new target of a 40 percent reduction in particulate matter concentration in cities covered by the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) by 2026.
According to the Union Environment Ministry, PM10 levels in 2021 compared to 2017 levels were “generally improved” in 95 of the 131 non-attainment cities covered by the NCAP. Twenty cities, including Chennai, Madurai, and Nashik, have achieved yearly average PM10 concentration levels that meet national criteria (60 microgram per cubic metre).
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PM2.5 levels must not exceed 40 micrograms per cubic metre annually.
PM2.5, which are tiny, inhalable particles with an average diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, are the most dangerous to human health.
For five years in a row, the 132 cities covered by the NCAP failed to fulfil the required national ambient air quality requirements (2011-2015).
“By 2024, the target of a 20 to 30 percent reduction in PM levels must be achieved. So far, the NCAP results have been positive. Therefore, we have updated the reduction goal to 40% by 2026”, according to an environment ministry official. City-specific action plans have been created under NCAP and include actions for enhancing the network of air quality monitors, lowering vehicle and industrial emissions, raising public awareness, etc.
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The official stated that “the cities are also adjusting their action plans to meet the updated targets.” Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Patna, Nagpur, Pune, Agra, Allahabad, Bareilly, Firozabad, Moradabad, Kanpur, Varanasi, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jamshedpur, Ranchi, and Raipur are just a few of the cities that have seen an improvement
From 241 micrograms per cubic metre in 2017 to 196 micrograms per cubic metre in 2021, Delhi’s PM10 levels decreased.
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