Indore, Amravati, Dewas top clean air rankings under NCAP

IN NEWS: Indore, Amravati, Dewas top clean air rankings under NCAP

Introduction

Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Indore, Amravati, and Dewas have emerged as top-performing cities in air pollution reduction, reflecting significant progress in improving urban air quality. The announcement was made by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, highlighting the growing importance of city-level environmental governance.

ANALYSIS

Category-wise Top Performing Cities

The rankings were released based on population categories, ensuring fair comparison:

Implication:

• Shows balanced performance across city sizes
• Highlights Madhya Pradesh’s strong presence (Indore, Jabalpur, Dewas)

Key Achievements under NCAP

• 64 out of 130 cities reduced PM10 levels by ≥20%
• 25 cities achieved ≥40% reduction (base year: 2017–18)

Implication:

• Indicates measurable success of NCAP implementation
• Demonstrates shift toward data-driven environmental monitoring

Policy Innovations & Future Reforms

• Ward-level assessment of air quality to begin from next year
• New guidelines released for decentralised monitoring

Implication:

• Moves governance from city-level → micro-level (wards)
• Enhances accountability and local participation

Environmental & Ecological Linkages

• Minister emphasized:
  • Increase in Ramsar sites: 25 (2014) → 91 (2025)
  • Recognition of Indore & Udaipur as Wetland Cities

Key Statement:

• “Forests are lungs, lakes are kidneys” → highlights ecosystem role

Implication:

• Connects air quality with water bodies and ecosystem health
• Promotes integrated environmental governance

Holistic Approach to Pollution Control

• Focus on:
  • Circular economy (reuse, recycle)
  • Urban planning interventions
  • Afforestation target: 75 crore saplings (Sept 17 – Oct 2)

Implication:

• Indicates shift toward multi-sectoral pollution control strategy
• Integrates climate action + urban sustainability

Special Recognition

• Angul (Odisha) appreciated for maintaining air quality despite coal mining presence

Implication:

• Demonstrates possibility of balancing industrial activity with environmental protection

STATIC PART

• Programme Name: National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
• Launched: 2019
• Implemented By: Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change
• Objective:
  • Reduce particulate pollution (PM10 & PM2.5)
  • Target: 40% reduction by 2026 (base year 2017–18)
• Coverage: 130 non-attainment cities
• Key Official Mentioned:
  • Tanmay Kumar

Updated - 09 September 2025 ; 03:44 PM | News Source: The Economic Times