According to the recent government assessment, the National Clean Air Program could not achieve the target of reducing pollution by the year 2024.Persistent violations of PM levels by cities in India and inconsistent implementation of clean air action plans are hindering the success of the National Clean Air Programme.
National Clean Air Programme
- The program was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in January 2019 as a comprehensive initiative in partnership with various ministries and states to improve air quality at the city, regional and national levels.
Target
- The program aims to improve air quality in 131 cities (non-attainment cities and million plus cities) across 24 states by involving all stakeholders.
Objective
- To achieve the target of 20-30% reduction in particulate matter concentrations by 2024 compared to the base year 2017. However, the target has been revised to achieve up to 40% reduction or National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in terms of PM concentrations by 2025-26.
- Strictly implement measures for prevention, control and mitigation of air pollution.
- Adopting airshed approach to tackle air pollution.
- To coordinate with existing policies and programmes.
- Issuance of guidelines regarding criteria for setting up air quality monitoring stations based on the population of a city/town by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Inconsistent implementation of clean air action plans
- On average, only 60% of the funds allocated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to implement the Clean Air Action Plan have been utilized, with 27% of cities spending less than 30% of their earmarked budget.
- Visakhapatnam and Bengaluru have announced their NCAP. Only 0% and 1% of the funds have been spent respectively.
- Implementation is being hampered due to delay in approval from authorities.
- For example, technical specifications for tender processes or for procurement of products such as mechanical sweepers and electric buses.
- Lack of standard operating procedures and delays in implementing control measures are hampered.
- Delays are caused by bureaucratic red tape and lingering doubts about the effectiveness of proposed mitigation measures.
- Inconsistency in implementation exists due to hesitation by decision makers over the ineffectiveness of outdoor smog towers.
Aided by scientific equipment
- Emissions inventory (EI) and source apportionment (SA) studies to identify and understand the origins of pollution help experts predict future emissions based on demographic changes and technological advances in different regions, among other factors. .
- E.I. Also help shape targeted pollution control strategies. Particularly in assessing the impact of cross-border pollution sources, such as the impact of stubble burning outside Delhi on the city’s air quality.
- S.A. The study presents a detailed analysis of the contribution of various pollution sources, including distant sources.
- However, they are not suitable for predictive analysis and chemical analysis requires substantial resources, including specialized personnel and equipment.
- S.A. The study also cannot distinguish between the origin of pollution, say, 200 meters away and 20 km. Away from emissions from diesel trucks, as diesel emissions have similar chemical signatures.
- These gaps can be bridged through AQ modeling to inform our understanding of pollution dispersion, including from distant sources.
Use of Emission Inventory (EI) and Source Apportionment (SA)
- EI to help cities pinpoint air pollutants and design mitigation measures targeting each polluting activity. And S.A. Data should be considered.
- According to the Portal for Regulation of Air Pollution in Non-Attainment Cities, only 37% cities have met EI. And S.A. completed the study, which means the remaining 63% do not have a clear idea about what is polluting their air.
- Based on capacity and infrastructure requirements, cities need to set appropriate annual targets and finance them.
- NCAP The reliance on concentration data to measure population exposure to harmful pollution makes the situation more complex.
- Pollution from high-emitting industries and other sources outside city limits is carried by winds into urban areas, complicating urban air-quality management.
- The shift toward comprehensive strategies that address both primary and secondary pollutants is critical.
- NCAP One goal is to establish infrastructure for forecasting AQ, but none of the cities except Delhi, Pune, Mumbai and Ahmedabad have a decision-support system.
What does NCAP need to succeed
- Beyond the need for data and models, rapid implementation on the ground is essential.
- Implementing agencies should attempt to reduce bureaucratic red tape by using shared, standardized technical assessments.
- Since NCAP Funding is linked to cities’ performance, with prior budgeting and time management playing a key role.
- Estimates of technical feasibility, budget and time should be part of the preliminary plans.
- NCAP The success of this depends on a multi-pronged approach that combines rigorous scientific studies, strategic funding and fast and effective implementation of mitigation measures.