The MoEFCC launched NCAP in 2019 with the objective of improving air quality in 131 non-attainment and Million Plus Cities by engaging all relevant stakeholders.
Key Features of NCAP
Multi-sectoral initiative involving the coordinated efforts of the Central and State Governments, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)
Objectives
Achieve up to a 40% reduction in PM10 levels or to meet national standards (60 µg/m³) by 2025-26.
City specific targets ranging from 4-15% by implementing city specific action plans.
An annual target of 15% improvement in Good Days (Air Quality Index <200) has been prescribed for 49 Million Plus cities/Urban Agglomerations.
Funding Convergence – Mobilises resources from Central schemes (SBM-Urban, AMRUT), State/UT budgets and municipal bodies to finance City Action Plans
City-Specific Clean Air Action Plans (CAAPs) targeting transport, industries, road dust, waste burning, and construction sources.
Expansion of CAAQMS, manual stations, and low-cost sensors for strengthening Air Quality Monitoring
Source Apportionment studies to list and quantify the significant sources of pollution in a city
Performance-Based Funding – Annual city rankings under Swachh Vayu Survekshan
Significance of NCAP
First-ever effort in the country to frame a national framework for air quality management with a time-bound reduction target.
Focus on Non-attainment cities that have fallen short of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
Promotes Scientific and evidence-based Planning
Strengthens air quality data reliability nationwide.
Local Governance Reform – Enhances capacity of ULBs in environment management.
Aligns with India’s Panchamrit Targets in UNFCCC
Major Challenges
Non-Binding Targets – Reduction targets are not legally enforceable – weaken accountability.
Limited Capacity of ULBs/SPCBs – manpower shortage, and technical gaps.
Inadequate Monitoring Coverage – Rural areas and small towns remain excluded.
Poor Inter-State Coordination – Transboundary pollution not addressed effectively. Eg- stubble burning
Insufficient Behavioural Change – Continued preference for private vehicles and biomass burning.
Funding Constraints – Cities lack dedicated environmental budgets.
Overlaps between ministries leads to slow decision-making. Eg- between MOEFCC and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Way Forward
Empower municipal bodies for real-time emissions tracking. Eg- AI based dashboards.
Renewable energy transition. Eg- Rooftop solar power.
High-resolution air quality monitoring network at the construction site linked to automatic sprayers, mist cannons, or sprinklers to reduce dust
Adopting Global Best Practices – Eg- California’s reinvestment of pollution fines into green projects.
Vehicular Emission Control –
Use catalytic converters to reduce Nitrogen and carbon monoxide emissions,
Expand EV network
Regulatory measures – Odd-even and congestion pricing (London Model)
Waste to energy – Eg- biofuels from agriculture waste in Punjab, Haryana
Expand Urban Green Infrastructure – Eg- Singapore’s green urban planning
Strengthening NCAP supports India’s Panchamrit climate goals, cleaner-energy transition, and long-term sustainable development objectives.