The National Clean Air Programme: the PM10 reduction target, the baseline year and the city action plans
Background
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in January 2019, with the object of improving air quality in 131 non-attainment and Million Plus Cities and Urban Agglomerations across 24 States/UTs by engaging all relevant stakeholders. The programme first aimed at a reduction of 20-30% in PM10 concentrations by 2024-25 compared with the baseline year of 2017-18. That target has since been revised to achieve up to a 40% reduction in PM10 levels, or to meet the national standards, by 2025-26. City specific targets ranging from 4-15% have been given for the reduction in annual PM10 concentrations, to be met by implementing city specific action plans. In addition, an annual target of 15% improvement in Good Days, meaning days on which the Air Quality Index is below 200, has been prescribed for 49 Million Plus cities and Urban Agglomerations.
In plain words
NCAP National Clean Air Programme — India's national programme for reducing particulate air pollution in the worst affected cities.
PM10 Particulate matter of 10 micrometres or less in diameter — Airborne dust particles small enough to be drawn into the airways.
Non-attainment city — A city that has not met the national ambient air quality standards over a stated period.
AQI Air Quality Index — A single number that converts pollutant concentrations into a scale the public can read.