Assessment of 5 Years of NCAP: Which Strategies Could Work?
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched by the Indian Government with the aim of reducing PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 20-30% by 2024 and 40% by 2026.?
In 2019, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) approved City Action Plans (CAPs) for 131 cities, encompassing Non-Attainment Cities (NACs), Million Plus Cities (MPCs), and Urban Agglomerations (UAs) under the NCAP.
After a thorough five-year assessment, the program has revealed a nuanced scenario of accomplishments and obstacles, providing insights into the advancements made in various cities and the measures implemented to address pollution.
The analysis specifically delved into the reduction in Air Quality Index (AQI) in cities such as Varanasi, Agra, Kanpur, Meerut, and Lucknow, highlighting their success stories and the contributing factors.
Positive Trends in AQI
Out of the 131 non-attainment cities,? PM2.5 data was accessible for all five years in 49 cities, with 27 of them registering a decrease in PM2.5 levels between 2019 and 2023. Likewise, 46 cities had available PM10 data spanning five years, and among them, 24 cities observed an enhancement in their PM10 levels.
Varanasi, Agra, and Jodhpur stood out as notable success stories, displaying substantial reductions in PM2.5 levels. Furthermore, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Meerut, and Lucknow surpassed expectations by achieving a reduction of over 40% in PM2.5 levels compared to the levels recorded in 2019.
Reduction Strategies
The success of these cities in achieving their AQI targets can be attributed to a combination of stringent measures and public participation.?
Uttar Pradesh, particularly, has seen commendable results, with all cities that achieved the 2026 reduction targets being from the state.?
What initiatives has Uttar Pradesh taken to achieve this distinction?
Identification of sources
(Ref : Khyati Sharma, Anchal Garg, Varun Joshi. Comprehensive Review on Air Pollution Control Measures for Non-Attainment Cities of Uttar Pradesh, India. Vol.14 No.3, March 2023. Journal of Environmental Protection)
Uttar Pradesh (UP) is located in the northern region of India, covering a total area of 240,928 square kilometres within the Indian Geographical Plane (IGP). Not only does it boast one of the highest populations in the country, reaching 227.65 million, but it also records a substantial vehicle population of 3,529,817 as of 2019-2020.
Additionally, UP hosts 15 industrial areas and numerous tourist attractions, drawing the interest of 535.8 million domestic tourists and 4.74 million international tourists in the year 2019 alone.
Recent studies pinpointed the major contributors to air pollution in the Non-attainment cities (NAC) of UP, identifying vehicles, industries, biomass and waste burning, road dust, and the domestic sector as significant sources.
The action plan
Key Components of NAC Action Plans:
Six Broad Sectors Identified:
Weightage Distribution Across Sectors:
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Detailed Sector-Specific Action Points:
In a remarkable turnaround, the state, once a cause for concern regarding air pollution, has emerged as a proactive force for solutions. This transformation didn't occur overnight; rather, it required sustained teamwork and strategic initiatives.
Initial Challenge: Lack of Actionable Data
Emissions Inventory (EI) and Source Apportionment Studies (SAS) were limited to a handful of cities, marking the first challenge. Addressing this, the state adopted a key strategy – the expansion of the Air Quality Monitoring Network (AQMN). While some advocated for Low-Cost Sensors (LCSs) as a budget-friendly option, the state, recognizing a technology validation gap for LCSs, prioritised installing a minimum number of Reference Grade Monitors (RGLs). This approach facilitated the calibration of LCSs in micro-agro climatic zones, marking a crucial step forward.
Although certain cities within the state have effectively attained their objectives, the hurdle persists in several cities where data is not accessible. Achieving success in these areas could be facilitated through the implementation of hyperlocal AQI monitoring.
Aurassure in partnership with Google has extended its outreach and implemented its device in several cities, including cities with previously no data like? Ayodhya, Azamgarh, Bahraich, Karimnagar, etc., to enhance the management of Air Quality Index (AQI).?
We are engaged in ongoing monitoring and systematic recording of the data.
By extending our reach to areas lacking AQI data, we contribute to filling crucial information gaps, allowing for informed decision-making and targeted interventions to improve air quality.
We have deployed around 500+ devices across 70+ cities in India with 300+ Mn data points.?
We are not only addressing the immediate need for air quality monitoring but also have collaborated with researchers in IIT Delhi, IIT Mumbai, Anna University Chennai, BITS Hyderabad, IMMT Bhubaneswar, etc. ?to delve into diverse aspects of environmental science & comparative studies.
In Conclusion …
The availability of comprehensive data played a pivotal role in facilitating targeted interventions and achieving environmental targets in Uttar Pradesh.
Aurassure acknowledges the significance of considering every location across the country, recognizing the presence of hidden sources and areas contributing to declining air quality.?
Understanding that even minor contributions collectively result in a substantial impact, Aurassure emphasises the importance of data-driven insights to address the complexities of air quality issues on a broader scale.
An industrial city in Odisha has achieved notable success in improving its air quality, marked by a significant reduction in PM10 levels.?
Drop a comment if you can guess the city!
Stay tuned for more updates.