Air quality improved in 97 of 130 cities under NCAP since 2017-18: Environment minister

Launched in January 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, NCAP covers 130 cities across 24 states and Union Territories.

The programme has seen notable successes, with cities like Varanasi and Dhanbad achieving PM10 reductions of 68 per cent and 56 per cent, respectively, the ministry said.

These improvements have been supported by city-specific action plans targeting the sources of pollution such as vehicular emissions, road dust, and industrial pollution.

Financial backing under the 15th Finance Commission's Air Quality Performance Grants has been instrumental, with Rs 11,211.13 crore allocated between 2019-20 and 2023-24.

This funding has been complemented by resources from Central and state government initiatives, including the Smart City Mission and the Swachh Bharat Mission.

In Jharkhand, the government has undertaken specific measures to combat pollution caused by coal mining operations.

These include constructing greenbelt-protected coal transport roads, installing mechanised transportation systems, and implementing continuous air quality monitoring.

However, despite these efforts, the challenges persist.

For example, the key mining hubs of Dhanbad, Ranchi and Jamshedpur continue to struggle with pollution levels despite the allocation of Rs 279.44 crore under the NCAP for targeted interventions.

Steps like intensified regulatory oversight, installation of fog cannons, and dissemination of weekly air quality bulletins aim to enhance public awareness and accountability among the mining players.

However, more rigorous implementation of environmental compliance measures and public engagement will be critical to sustaining these gains.