Question : National Clean Air Programme

(a) whether the Government has launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to tackle the increasing air pollution problem across the country recently;
(b) if so, the details thereof, including its objectives, funds allocated and salient features;
(c) whether NCAP will be launched in the 43 smart cities falling in the list of 102 non-attainment cities, if so, the details thereof along with the cities chosen under the programme, State-wise;
(d) whether the Government proposes tentative national level target of 20 per cent - 30 per cent reduction of PM 2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2024, if so, the details thereof along with the names of the cities which have recorded high levels of PM 2.5; and
(e) whether city specific action plans are being formulated for 102 non-attainment cities identified for implementing mitigation actions under NCAP and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) & (b) In order to address the increasing air pollution across the country in a comprehensive manner, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched a National Clean Air Program (NCAP) as a pan India time bound national level strategy.

Overall objective of the NCAP is comprehensive management plan for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution besides augmenting the air quality monitoring network across the country. A budgetary allocation of Rs.150 crore has been made under NCAP during the financial year 2019-20.

The NCAP focuses on collaborative and participatory approach covering all sources of pollution and coordination between relevant Central Ministries, State Governments, local bodies and other stakeholders.

The main components of NCAP include City specific air pollution abatement action plan for 102 polluting cities of the country, increasing number of monitoring stations, technology support, public participation on planning and implementation, source apportionment studies, guidelines for Indoor Air Pollution, setting up of Rural Monitoring stations etc.

(c) Smart cities framework is being used to launch NCAP in 43 smart cities falling in the list of 102 non-attainment cities. State wise list of cities is enclosed as Annexure I.

(d) Taking into account the available international experiences and national scientific and technical studies, mid-term target for reduction of PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2024 forms an integral component of the NCAP. This is keeping 2017 as the base year for comparison of concentration. Analysis of ambient air quality data for PM2.5 for the year 2017 reveals that 32 cities exceed National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 40µg/m3. List of cities is enclosed as Annexure II.

(e) CPCB has identified 102 non-attainment cities, based on data for the period 2011 – 2015 and WHO report 2014/2018. City specific action plans are being formulated for 102 non-attainment cities identified for implementing mitigation actions under NCAP. Till date, 63 action plans have been received.


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