Context:
The review of air quality improvement action plans of 131 cities is likely to be held by the Government this month as part of the Centre’s 100-day agenda.
Relevance:
GS III: Environment and Ecology
Dimensions of the Article:
- News Summary
- About National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
- Challenges Faced by NCAP
- Recommendations
News Summary
- The Indian Government plans to conduct a review of air quality improvement action plans in 131 cities as part of its 100-day agenda. This follows a recent meeting of the NCAP monitoring committee to assess progress in 82 cities.
- An upcoming meeting of the NCAP steering committee, chaired by the secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), will focus on actions taken by city administrations. Key areas of review include dust control, electric vehicle charging stations, public transport enhancement, waste management, and urban greening.
- The Ministry’s review aims to ensure efficient utilization of funds, especially amidst scrutiny by the National Green Tribunal over the NCAP’s fund allocation. Recent submissions to the tribunal revealed expenditures on non-essential projects like football grounds, water fountains, and desludging machines.
About National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
- Initiative: Launched in January 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to combat air pollution in India.
- Objective: NCAP aims to achieve a 40% reduction in particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) concentrations by 2026 compared to 2017 levels.
- Focus Areas:
- Targets 131 non-attainment cities where air quality standards are consistently exceeded.
- Customized action plans address local sources of pollution such as vehicular emissions, industrial discharges, construction dust, and waste burning.
- Key Features:
- Strengthening air quality monitoring with more stations and real-time data.
- Enhanced enforcement of air quality regulations.
- Public awareness campaigns on health impacts and community involvement.
- Promotion of cleaner technologies and practices across sectors.
- Coordination among government departments for integrated pollution control.
- Financial incentives for clean technologies and subsidies.
- Funding allocation to support state and municipal action plans.
- Emphasis on scientific research and collaboration for innovative pollution control solutions.
- PRANA Portal: Monitors the implementation of NCAP and facilitates data-driven decision-making.
Challenges Faced by NCAP
- Uneven Fund Utilization: Despite substantial funding, only 60% of allocated funds have been used on average. Cities like Visakhapatnam and Bengaluru have spent minimal amounts (0% and 1%, respectively), highlighting inefficiencies in fund utilization.
- Delays in Approvals: Significant delays in obtaining necessary approvals hinder the timely execution of planned initiatives, such as procurement of mechanical sweepers and electric buses, crucial for pollution control measures.
- Lack of Standardized Procedures: The absence of standardized procedures for implementing NCAP measures leads to inconsistencies and delays in executing clean air initiatives across different cities.
- Bureaucratic Red Tape: Bureaucratic processes complicate the implementation process, slowing down effective action against pollution despite allocated resources.
- Skepticism and Efficacy of Measures: Skepticism persists about the effectiveness of certain measures, such as outdoor smog towers, especially following findings questioning their efficacy. This uncertainty impacts decision-making and hampers swift action.
- Incomplete Emissions Inventory and Source Apportionment Studies: Only 37% of cities have completed Emissions Inventory (EI) and Source Apportionment (SA) studies. These studies are crucial for identifying specific pollution sources and designing effective Clean Air Action Plans (CAAPs).
Recommendations
- Effective Use of EI and SA Data: Cities must utilize Emissions Inventory and Source Apportionment data effectively to pinpoint pollutants accurately and plan targeted mitigation strategies. Increasing the completion rate of these studies is essential.
- Comprehensive Pollution Control Strategies: Develop comprehensive strategies that address both primary and secondary pollutants, considering the specific pollution sources identified through EI and SA studies.
- Adoption of Decision-Support Systems: Encourage more cities to adopt decision-support systems for air quality forecasting, as seen in cities like Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad. These systems improve real-time monitoring and enable proactive pollution control measures.
- Streamlined Implementation: Simplify technical and financial planning processes as integral parts of initial strategy formulation to expedite implementation of NCAP measures.
-Source: Indian Express
