New Delhi, Nov 28 (UNI) Around 97 out of 130 cities have shown improvement in the air quality, measured in terms of particulate matter (PM) 10 concentrations during 2023-24 due to the government’s efforts under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh said on Thursday.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Singh said, “As per the annual performance assessment carried out for 2023-24, 97 cities out of 130 cities have shown improvement in air quality in terms of PM10 concentrations in FY 2023-24 as compared to 2017-18.”
“Nearly 55 cities have achieved reduction of 20% and above in PM10 levels in 2023-24 with respect to the levels of 2017-18. Further, 18 cities conform to national ambient air quality standards in terms of Particular Matter concentrations during FY 2023-24,” he added.
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched in January 2019 with an aim to improve air quality in 130 cities (non-attainment cities and Million Plus Cities in 24 States/UTs through implementation of National, State and City level clean air action plans.
“NCAP envisages reduction in PM10 level up to 40% or achievement of national standards (60 microgram/cubic meter) by 2025-26,” a statement said.
In addition to this, NCAP emphasises 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.
Under the Programme, Rs.16,539 crore has been allocated for the period 2019-20 till 2025-26, and Rs. 9595.66 Crore has been released so far to 48 Million Plus Cities & Urban Agglomerations under XVth Finance Commission Million Plus City Challenge Fund (MPCCF) as a performance linked incentives for implementing air quality measures under city action plans, it said.
