Rise In Air Pollution: Centre Responds To Queries On Measures To Tackle It
To a question seeking government’s response over the rise in air pollution in the country and the measures the authorities have taken to tackle it, the Union Government on November 25 explained some of it’s actions in a written response in the Parliament. Air pollutions in cities such as Delhi has been one of the trending headlines of the national media in the recent weeks. Thick fog engulfed the national capital, raising concerns about the toxic and deteriorating air quality and hence the health of the residents.
The MPs had asked the government if it has taken any steps to check air pollution, especially the rising air contamination levels in the country. In reply to the query, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change pointed out the Centre launched National Clean Air Program (NCAP) in 2019 as a national level strategy to reduce air pollution levels in targeted 130 Non-attainment Cities/ Million Plus Cities across the country through implementation of National, State and City level action plans.
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It said the NCAP aims the pollution reduction by 20-30% in PM concentration over baseline year 2017 by 2024, and the target has been revised to achieve reduction in PM10 level up to 40% or achievement of national standards (60 µg/m3) by 2025-26. “Cities under NCAP have prepared city action plans to take measures to improve air quality as per the objectives of NCAP.
It further noted that the government provided Rs 11,211 crore to cities under the program to implement the action plan. It then said the NCAP, in addition to this focuses on implementation of City Action Plans (CAPs) through the convergence of resources from various Central Government schemes such as Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), AMRUT, Smart City Mission, SATAT, and Nagar Van Yojana, as well as resources from State Govts./ UT administration and agencies like Municipal Corporations and Urban Development authorities.
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The response added that the assessment under the program achieved reduction of 20% and above in PM10 levels in 2023-24 with respect
to the levels of 2017-18. A total of 18 cities have met National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10 levels in 2023-24, it said. Regarding the other steps taken t0 minimise air pollution, the Centre said the Emission standards for more than 80 industries, waste management rules for solid, plastic, and other e-wastes, and the vehicles Scrapping Policy, Rules for Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities and
Automated Testing Stations by MoRTH were notified.
Despite the government taking all these measures, Indian cities have seen significant surge in the pollution level, risking even the mortality of the citizens. Cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Patna has experienced severe level of pollution, with the national capital being categorised as the severe plus” levels in 2024.
