The Central Indian Government has initiated a five-year action plan aiming to reduce concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 by 20-30% by 2024. The foundation year for this target is 2017. This scheme, unlike prior initiatives, is a comprehensive pan-India air pollution reduction plan encompassing 102 cities, rather than focusing primarily on the national capital region.
An Overview of the Plan
The new program includes 102 non-attainment cities throughout 23 states and Union territories identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) based on their ambient air quality data from 2011 to 2015. Non-attainment cities are the ones that have not met the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for over five years.
The CPCB marked these ‘non-attainment cities’ and instructed them to implement 42 measures aimed at reducing air pollution as part of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). The scheme also involves the expansion of the air quality monitoring network across India. It suggests that the country needs at least 4,000 monitors instead of the current 101 real-time air quality (AQ) monitors.
Key Features of the Action Plan
The plan introduces a three-tier system entailing real-time physical data collection, data archiving, and an action-trigger system in all 102 cities. It also includes intensive plantation plans, research into clean technologies, landscaping of major arterial roads, and strict industrial standards. A state-level plan for e-mobility in the two-wheeler sector, rapid enhancement of charging infrastructure, stringent enforcement of BS-VI norms, improvement of public transportation systems, and adoption of third-party audits for polluting industries are proposed.
| Proposed Measures | Description |
|---|---|
| Real-time physical data collection | Gathering live data on pollution levels |
| Intensive plantation plans | Planting trees extensively to reduce air pollution |
| Adoption of third-party audits for polluting industries | External audits on industries to ensure they follow pollution norms |
Criticism and the Way Forward
However, the pollution reduction targets for these cities are not legally binding on the respective states. Critics argue that a mere 20-30% reduction from the 2017 level by 2024 will not suffice to achieve the desired air quality level, suggesting that the action plan’s goals are not ambitious enough.
Nevertheless, the NCAP is envisaged as a dynamic initiative which would continue to evolve based on additional scientific and technical information as they emerge. This is a necessary step as having measurable, focused, and precise targets with clear timelines and demonstrable accountability towards public health is crucial for success in this nationwide initiative. Despite not being a legally binding document, it is anticipated to be operationalized through inter-sectoral groups, including the ministries of road transport and highways, petroleum and natural gas, renewable energy, and urban affairs among others. The ministry will periodically review the progress of these components based on suitable indicators, which will be developed accordingly.