National Clean Air Programme 2019: Goals, Implementation & Way Forward

National Clean Air Programme 2019: Goals, Implementation & Way Forward

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

1. Introduction

The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is a pan-India initiative launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in January 2019 to tackle the problem of air pollution in a comprehensive and time-bound manner.

India is home to many of the world’s most polluted cities, and deteriorating air quality has serious impacts on public health, environment, productivity, and climate. NCAP serves as India’s first national-level framework to systematically reduce air pollution.

2. Objectives of NCAP

The primary objectives are:

• To reduce PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations across cities
• To strengthen air quality monitoring systems
• To enhance public awareness and stakeholder participation
• To support states and cities in implementing clean air action plans

Revised National Target (2022 Update):
👉 40% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 2026 (compared to 2017 baseline)

(Earlier target: 20–30% reduction by 2024)

3. Coverage under NCAP

• Covers 131 non-attainment cities (cities that did not meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards – NAAQS).
• Cities are spread across 24 states and UTs.
• Includes large metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, as well as medium and small cities.

4. Key Components of NCAP

A. City Action Plans (CAPs)

Each non-attainment city prepares a city-specific Clean Air Action Plan, focusing on:

• Source apportionment studies
• Local pollution hotspots
• Time-bound and sector-specific interventions

B. Strengthening Air Quality Monitoring

• Expansion of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS)
• Use of low-cost sensors and mobile monitoring
• Real-time public access through National Air Quality Index (NAQI)

C. Emission Reduction Measures

Key sectors targeted:

• Transport: EV promotion, BS-VI norms, traffic management
• Industry: Cleaner fuels, emission standards, pollution control equipment
• Construction & Dust: Mechanized sweeping, dust suppression
• Biomass & Waste Burning: Alternatives to crop residue burning, solid waste management
• Power Plants: Emission control technologies like FGD units

D. Institutional Mechanism

• National Steering Committee – Policy direction
• National Project Monitoring Unit (PMU)
• State-level and City-level monitoring committees
• Involvement of urban local bodies (ULBs)

5. Funding Mechanism

• Performance-linked grants through the 15th Finance Commission
• Funds allocated to million-plus cities for air quality improvement
• Additional funding through:
  • Central Sector Schemes
  • State budgets
  • CSR and international cooperation

6. Technological & Digital Support

• Air quality forecasting systems (e.g., SAFAR)
• Satellite data integration
• Emission inventories and modelling tools
• Public dashboards for transparency

7. Achievements So Far

• Expansion of air monitoring stations from ~700 (2014) to 1,300+ stations
• Many cities reported declining PM10 levels
• Improved coordination between central, state, and local bodies
• Enhanced public awareness on air pollution and health impacts

8. Challenges and Limitations

• Weak enforcement at local levels
• Limited technical capacity in smaller cities
• Inter-state pollution transport (e.g., stubble burning)
• Insufficient funding in some ULBs
• Data gaps and inconsistent monitoring

9. Way Forward

• Strengthen city-level governance and accountability
• Increase funding and technical manpower
• Integrate climate action and air quality planning
• Promote clean energy transition
• Encourage citizen participation and behavioral change
• Adopt airshed-based management instead of city-only approach

10. Conclusion

The National Clean Air Programme represents India’s most comprehensive attempt to address air pollution through scientific planning, cooperative federalism, and public participation. While challenges remain, sustained political commitment, technological innovation, and community involvement can make NCAP a transformative initiative for public health and environmental sustainability.