National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) – Progress Report 2025

Overview: As per data shared by the Environment Ministry in the Lok Sabha (July 2025), only 1 in 5 cities funded under NCAP have achieved the set targets for particulate matter reduction.
NCAP Targets:
- Launched in 2019, NCAP initially aimed for a 20–30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 by 2024 (from 2017 baseline).
- In 2022, the PM10 reduction target was revised to 40%, with no specific PM2.5 reduction target, aiming to meet the national standard of 60 µg/m³ by 2025–26.
Funding & Coverage:
- 130 citiesare funded:
  - 48 million-plus cities under 15th Finance Commission Million Plus City Challenge Fund (performance-linked air quality grant).
  - Remaining 82 cities funded under the Control of Pollution Scheme.
- Total performance-linked grant: ₹13,036.52 crore.
Current Progress (2024–25 vs 2017–18):
- Only 25 cities achieved ≥40% reduction in PM10.
- 25 cities reported an increase in PM10 levels.
- 103 cities showed some reduction, while 22 cities achieved the 40% target and maintained PM10 below 60 µg/m³.
Top Performers:
- Bareilly (76%), Varanasi (74.3%), Firozabad (59.5%) – Uttar Pradesh.
- Dehradun (57.2%) – Uttarakhand.
- Major cities’ reductions: Mumbai (44%), Kolkata (37%), Delhi (15%), Chennai (12%).
  
  Updated - July 23, 2025 09:06 am | The Hindu