Context:
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), initiated by the Indian government in 2019, aimed to reduce atmospheric Particulate Matter (PM) levels by 20-30% by 2024, based on 2017 levels. This target was later revised to a 40% reduction by 2026. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change allocated ₹10,422.73 crore to facilitate this initiative. Despite proactive efforts by most cities to submit their Clean Air Action Plans, their implementation has been inconsistent.
Relevance:
GS3- Environment- Pollution
Mains Question:
Analyse why the implementation of Clean Air Action Plans has been inconsistent? What are some of the tools which can improve our understanding of the dimensions of pollution to better address it? (15 Marks, 250 Words).
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):
- Launched in January 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), this initiative marks the country’s inaugural attempt to establish a national framework for air quality management, complete with a defined reduction target within a specified timeframe.
- Encompassing 132 non-attainment cities identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), these are cities that have consistently failed to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for more than five years.
- The NAAQS, established by the CPCB under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981, are standards for ambient air quality pertaining to various identified pollutants, including PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, CO, NH3, Ozone, Lead, Benzene, Benzo-Pyrene, Arsenic, and Nickel.
- Essentially, the NCAP requires cities in India that consistently exceed annual PM levels to develop and execute Clean Air Action Plans (CAAPs) annually.
Analysing the Performance of the Scheme:
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change allocated ₹10,422.73 crore to facilitate this initiative. Despite proactive efforts by most cities to submit their CAAPs, their implementation has been inconsistent.
- According to the Ministry, only 60% of the allocated funds have been utilized on average, with 27% of cities spending less than 30% of their designated budgets.
- Notably, cities like Visakhapatnam and Bengaluru have utilized minimal amounts of their NCAP funds, with 0% and 1% expenditure respectively.
- The effective execution of NCAP is hindered by delays in implementation, particularly due to approval delays from relevant authorities, such as technical specifications for tendering processes or procurement of necessary products like mechanical sweepers and electric buses.
- There’s a notable absence of standardized procedures for implementing measures, which, coupled with time-consuming tasks and unclear timelines, leads to further delays.
- Bureaucratic processes and lingering doubts about the effectiveness of proposed actions also contribute. Recent findings questioning the effectiveness of outdoor smog towers justify decision-makers’ hesitance.
- However, addressing this requires a systematic approach based on Emissions Inventory (EI), Air Quality (AQ) modeling, and Source Apportionment (SA).
Way Forward:
- Scientific tools play a crucial role in this regard. EI and SA studies are pivotal for identifying and comprehending pollution origins.
- EIs offer insights into local pollution sources and their impacts, aiding in forecasting future emissions considering demographic shifts and technological advancements.
- They also inform targeted pollution control strategies, albeit with limitations, especially in assessing transboundary pollution sources’ impacts, like stubble-burning outside Delhi affecting the city’s air quality.
- SA studies delve into detailed analyses of pollution source contributions, even from distant locations. However, they lack predictive capabilities and demand significant resources, including specialized personnel and equipment for chemical analysis.
- Additionally, SA studies struggle to differentiate between pollution origins, such as emissions from diesel trucks nearby versus those further away due to similar chemical signatures.
- Addressing these gaps can be achieved through AQ modeling, which enhances our understanding of pollution dispersion, including from remote sources.
How are these Methods being Utilized?
- Ideally, cities would utilize EI and SA data to identify specific air pollutants and develop targeted mitigation measures for each polluting activity.
- However, according to the Portal for Regulation of Air Pollution in Non-Attainment Cities, only 37% of cities have conducted EI and SA studies.
- Consequently, the remaining 63% lack clarity regarding the pollutants affecting their air quality.
- This raises doubts about the effectiveness of CAAPs if cities are unaware of the individual emissions reduction potential of proposed measures.
- It’s essential for cities to establish appropriate annual targets and allocate funding based on potential and infrastructure requirements.
- Moreover, the reliance of NCAP on concentration data, which measures population exposure to harmful pollution, further complicates matters.
- Pollution from high-emitting industries and other sources beyond city limits, transported into urban areas by winds, adds complexity to urban air quality management. Many existing control measures primarily target primary PM emissions, overlooking their secondary precursors.
- Therefore, transitioning to comprehensive strategies addressing both primary and secondary pollutants is crucial.
- Additionally, although one of the NCAP objectives is to establish infrastructure for AQ forecasting, only Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad have implemented a decision-support system.
What is Essential for the Success of NCAP?
- In addition to the necessity for data and modeling, prompt implementation on the ground is paramount.
- To achieve this, implementation agencies should aim to streamline bureaucratic processes by employing shared, standardized technical evaluations.
- Since NCAP funding is tied to city performance, determined by the reduction in annual average PM concentration, thorough budgeting and time management are crucial.
- Technical feasibility, budgeting, and time estimates should be integral components of the initial planning stages.
Conclusion:
The path towards achieving cleaner air in India, as outlined by NCAP, will undoubtedly be challenging but is imperative. The success of NCAP relies on a comprehensive approach that integrates rigorous scientific research, strategic allocation of funds, and prompt and efficient implementation of mitigation measures.
