Around 97 cities have shown improvement in air quality under NCAP: MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh

Around ninety-seven cities out of one hundred thirty cities have shown improvement in the air quality in terms of particulate matter (PM) 10 concentrations during 2023-24 with the government’s efforts under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha that nearly 55 cities have achieved a reduction of 20 per cent and above in PM10 levels in 2023-24 compared to 2017-18. He added that in total, 18 cities conformed to national



ambient air quality standards in terms of particulate matter concentrations during the same period.

      

The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched in January 2019 with an aim to improve air quality in 130 cities. This programme envisages a reduction in PM10 level up to 40 per cent or achievement of national standards (60 microgram/cubic meter) by 2025-26. Under the Programme, 16 thousand 539 crore rupees have been allocated for the period 2019-20 till 2025-26.