Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav reviews National Clean Air Programme

New Delhi: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav reviewed clean air action plans under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and urged all stakeholders for updation of clean action plans and proper implementation of of waste management.

The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is being implemented in 24 State, UTs and 131 cities with a total outlay of Rs.19,612 crore from 2019-20 to 2025-26.

During the meeting Union Minister appreciated the efforts made by all stakeholders under the programme for improving air quality in 95 cities and 18 cities meeting National Ambient Air Quality Standards in PM10 levels in 2023-24.

He informed that 51 cities have achieved 20 per cent reduction and 21 cities have already achieved 40% reduction in PM10 levels.

It was informed that under this Programme, so far Rs.11,211 crore was provided to the cities to achieve the targets of 40% reduction or achieving National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in PM10 levels by 2025-26.

Air quality improvement activities undertaken in 131 cities in sectors of road dust, vehicular pollution, waste management, greening of urban spaces and industrial pollution were presented in the meeting.

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted the creation of 3776 hectare of Nagar Van/Vatikas under Nagar Van Yojana of MoEFCC in 64 cities with sanctioned amount of Rs. 142 crore.

He also highlighted the recent initiative to set up a Coordinating Mechanism to address transboundary movement of air pollution in Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) region comprising 08 States/UTs.

Bhupender Yadav alos urged all cities for updation of clean action plans on 100% saturation basis and called for implementation of proposed reforms in areas of waste management especially solid waste, plastic waste, e-waste, vehicular pollution.

During the meeting, Several Union Ministries have also presented progress and convergence of schemes implemented in 131 cities.