New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) Among metro cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Mumbai registered the highest decline of 44 per cent in PM10 pollution level in 2024-25 as compared to 2017-18, followed by Kolkata (37 per cent), the Environment Ministry told Parliament on Monday.
Delhi recorded a drop of 15 per cent in PM10 levels and Chennai 12 per cent, according to data tabled in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh.
He presented the data in reply to a joint query from MPs Anil Desai and Babu Singh Kushwaha regarding worsening air pollution, health impacts and funding utilisation for air quality improvement across Indian cities.
He said 103 out of 130 cities covered under the NCAP showed improvement in PM10 levels in 2024-25 as compared to 2017-18.
According to the government data, 64 cities have shown a reduction in PM10 levels by more than 20 per cent and 25 of them achieved a reduction of over 40 per cent.
The NCAP, launched in 2019, aims to reduce particulate pollution by 40 per cent by 2026 in 130 highly polluted cities, using 2019-20 as the base year. However, in practice, only PM10 concentration is being considered for performance assessment.
PM10, or particulate matter of diameter 10 micrometres or less, is a major pollutant contributing to poor air quality and respiratory diseases.
The average PM10 concentration in Mumbai fell from 161 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) in 2017-18 to 90 µg/m3 in 2024-25. Kolkata’s levels dropped from 147 to 92 µg/m3, Delhi’s from 241 to 203 µg/m3 and Chennai’s from 66 to 58 µg/m3 during the same period.
The data showed efforts have yielded positive results, with 22 cities now achieving the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for PM10 concentration, i.e., annual levels below 60 µg/m3.
Among the most improved cities, Bareilly saw a 77 per cent drop in PM10 levels, from 207 µg/m3 to 48 µg/m3, followed by Varanasi (230 to 59 µg/m3), Firozabad (247 to 100 µg/m3), Dehradun (250 to 107 µg/m3) and Moradabad (222 to 96 µg/m3). These cities were among 25 that achieved reductions exceeding 40 per cent.
The government, however, said air quality comparisons between cities in different countries are not straightforward due to differences in geography, climate and national standards.
Responding to questions on health impacts, the ministry said there is no conclusive national data that directly correlates air pollution with mortality.
“Health is influenced by a range of factors beyond environment, including nutrition, socio-economic status, heredity, occupation and immunity,” Singh said.
The minister said a total of Rs 13,036.52 crore has been released under the NCAP and the 15th Finance Commission’s performance-linked grants.
Of this, Rs 9,202.21 crore has been utilised so far across states and union territories.
Uttar Pradesh received the highest allocation at Rs 2,822.98 crore, followed by Maharashtra (Rs 1,774.62 crore), West Bengal (Rs 1,313.21 crore) and Gujarat (Rs 1,282.98 crore).
Under the funding structure, 48 million-plus cities are supported through the Finance Commission’s Challenge Fund, while the remaining 82 cities are funded under the Control of Pollution Scheme.
Asked whether the government aims to bring down the Air Quality Index below 50 across the country in five years, the ministry said the NCAP is a long-term, time-bound strategy to reduce PM10 concentrations and improve air quality through sustained actions and performance-linked funding. PTI GVS DIV DIV
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