Where do Indian cities stand on toxic air?

Subject : Environment

Section: Pollution

Concept :

It is often argued by experts that even after four years of the National Clean Air Campaign (NCAP) the progress has been slow and pollution had not been significantly reduced in most cities.

National Clean Air Campaign (NCAP):

NCAP was launched by the government on 10 January 2019 to commit funds and set targets for the 131 most polluted cities in India.
These cities are called non-attainment cities because they did not meet the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for the period of 2011-15 under the National Air Quality Monitoring Program (NAMP).

Particulate matter reduction targets

India’s annual average prescribed limits for PM2.5 and PM10 are 40 micrograms/per cubic metre (ug/m3) and 60 micrograms/per cubic metre
The NCAP initially prescribed reducing PM10 and PM2.5 by 20-30% in 2024 (taking the pollution levels in 2017 as the base year).
However, in September 2022 it was revised to a 40% reduction in particulate matter concentration by 2026.
The government has disbursed nearly ₹6,897.06 to the cities for the programme.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) coordinates the programme and monitors PM10 levels.
It was further mandated that the cities should quantify improvement beginning from 2020-21, which requires a 15% and more reduction in the annual average PM10 concentration and a concurrent increase in “good air” days to at least 200.
If these targets are not met the Centre would reduce the funds.

Impact of NCAP

It was found in the analysis of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) that only 38 of the 131 cities met the targets for FY21-22.
However, the analysis reports are not available in the public domain and no city action plan was updated on the basis of the studies, as mandated by the NCAP programme.
It was further estimated by CREA that India needs to install more than 300 manual air quality monitoring stations per year to reach the NCAP goal of 1,500 monitoring stations by 2024. It should be noted that only 180 stations have been installed in the last four years.
The NCAP Tracker, a joint project by Climate Trends and Respirer Living Sciences, monitors progress in achieving the 2024 clean air targets.

Particulate Matter (PM)

Also called particle pollution, it is a term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air.
It includes:
- PM10: inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 10 micrometers and smaller; and
- PM2.5: fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller.
Sources of PM:
- Some are emitted directly from a source, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks or fires.
- Most particles form in the atmosphere as a result of complex reactions of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are pollutants emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles.
Harmful Effects:
- Small particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest problems, because they can get deep into the lungs, and some may even get into the bloodstream.
- Particle pollution exposure has been linked to a variety of problems, including irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function and increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing.