Air pollution has emerged as one of the most significant environmental and public health challenges confronting the world. Recognising the urgent need for collective action, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated 7 September as the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in 2019. The theme for 2024, "Invest in #CleanAirNow", highlights the necessity of sustained investments in air quality improvement.In alignment with this global initiative, India observes Swachh Vayu Diwas on 7 September every year, reaffirming its commitment towards cleaner air, sustainable urbanisation, and improved quality of life.
Launched in 2019, the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) represents India's first comprehensive national framework for tackling urban air pollution.Initially, the programme targeted:
The target has subsequently been enhanced to:
The programme currently covers 131 cities across 24 States and Union Territories.
The implementation of NCAP has begun yielding measurable outcomes.Key achievements include:
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| NCAP Cities Covered | 131 |
| Cities Showing Air Quality Improvement | 95 |
| Cities Achieving >20% PM10 Reduction | 51 |
| Cities Achieving >40% PM10 Reduction | 21 |
| Cities Meeting NAAQS Standards | 18 |
These achievements indicate the effectiveness of targeted interventions and inter-sectoral coordination.
To support implementation of city-specific action plans, the Government has earmarked:
Funding sources include:
So far:
An important feature of NCAP is its convergence model, integrating resources from:
This ensures efficient utilisation of public resources for clean air objectives.
The PRANA (Portal for Regulation of Air Pollution in Non-Attainment Cities) serves as the central monitoring platform for NCAP implementation.Functions include:
The portal enhances transparency and accountability in programme implementation.
All 131 NCAP cities have prepared City Action Plans (CAPs).The plans focus on city-specific pollution sources such as:
This localised strategy improves effectiveness of pollution mitigation measures.
Recognising the deterioration of air quality during winter months, all NCAP cities have developed:
These mechanisms facilitate rapid interventions during severe pollution episodes.
The Swachh Vayu Survekshan is an innovative ranking framework developed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.Cities are evaluated on:
Top-performing cities receive:
The initiative promotes competitive federalism and encourages best practices.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs contributes significantly to clean air efforts through sustainable urban transport initiatives.Key interventions include:
Support for metro rail systems to reduce vehicular congestion and emissions.
Introduced as cost-effective public transport solutions for:
Expansion of public transport systems in:
These interventions aim to reduce dependence on private vehicles.
Several activities under Swachh Bharat Mission contribute directly to improved air quality.These include:
The integration of sanitation and air quality objectives reflects a holistic urban governance approach.
Urban forests play a critical role in improving air quality and urban ecology.Launched in 2020, Nagar Van Yojana aims to create:
Achievements:
The scheme promotes:
The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative complements NCAP by encouraging mass tree plantation.The campaign contributes to:
It reflects India's effort to combine environmental action with social mobilisation.
India has significantly expanded its air quality monitoring network.Current network includes:
| Monitoring Type | Number |
|---|---|
| Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) | 545 |
| Manual Monitoring Stations (NAMP) | 965 |
| Total Monitoring Stations | 1510 |
| Cities Covered | 543 |
This expansion enhances real-time monitoring and policy response.
Implemented by CPCB in collaboration with:
Provides simplified communication of air quality conditions through six categories:
Promotes cleaner fuel usage by blending ethanol with petrol to reduce vehicular emissions.
Operational in:
Provides advance alerts for pollution episodes.
India's clean air strategy has evolved into a comprehensive governance framework combining:
The NCAP demonstrates a shift from isolated pollution-control interventions to integrated environmental governance, supporting public health, climate resilience, and sustainable urban development.
Portal for Regulation of Air Pollution in Non-Attainment Cities
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Updated – 24 September 2024 ; 04:06 PM | News Source:
PIB Delhi – Swachh Vayu Diwas: India’s Commitment to Clean Air