Latest news with #NCAP
New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Hyderabad records 26.4% drop in air pollution in seven years
HYDERABAD: Hyderabad has recorded a 26.4% reduction in air pollution levels over the past seven years, marking a significant improvement under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). The city's average PM10 (particulate matter) concentration fell from 110 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) in 2017–18 to 81 µg/m³ in 2024–25. However, there has been no improvement in air quality levels in the city during the year 2024–25. Hyderabad's 26.4% drop places it ahead of Delhi and Chennai in air pollution control over the past seven years, but behind Mumbai and Kolkata. The NCAP was launched in 2019 to address the rising air pollution in cities that have consistently breached national air quality standards. Hyderabad was identified as a 'non-attainment city', triggering a focused response from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), along with the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TGPCB), GHMC and other local agencies. Hyd allocated Rs 880 cr to address air pollution A city-specific Clean Air Action Plan was drawn up, aiming to bring down PM10 levels by up to 40% or reach the safe limit of 60 µg/m³ by 2025-26. To support this plan, Hyderabad was allocated Rs 880 crore between 2020 and 2026, from both NCAP and the Fifteenth Finance Commission. As of July 2025, Rs 715.9 crore had been released and Rs 384.33 crore spent. The funds are being used by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to implement on-ground measures across sectors such as transport, waste, industry, and public engagement.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
GVCF urges swift action on Visakhapatnam air pollution
Visakhapatnam: Days after TOI reported a 29% surge in PM10 pollution levels in Visakhapatnam since 2017, the Greater Visakhapatnam Citizens' Forum (GVCF) expressed deep concern over the worsening air quality crisis. In an official statement citing the TOI report, GVCF president Sohan Hatangadi said that the rise in pollution has made Vizag the second-worst performer among 130 cities under the national clean air programme (NCAP). "This deterioration is a direct result of administrative inaction and a shocking lack of political will. Despite an allocation of Rs 129.4 crore under NCAP, only Rs 39.6 crore has been utilised, demonstrating gross negligence. Meanwhile, unchecked industrial emissions, port dust, and construction pollution continue to choke our city. "While neighbouring cities such as Vijayawada and Rajahmundry have successfully reduced pollution by over 20%, Visakhapatnam continues to fail its citizens. Our right to clean air is being violated, and the health of our children and families is at stake. Therefore, the GVCF demands immediate action. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo We insist on the full and immediate release of all NCAP funds for targeted mitigation. We call for a revised, transparent city clean air action plan with robust citizen oversight, strict enforcement against all polluters, and the installation of real-time air quality monitors across every zone. Furthermore, we urge a special audit of the funds and the project's implementation by independent agencies. The time for excuses is over; the authorities must prioritise public health and act now. We will not remain silent," said Hatangadi.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
MoEFCC utilises 13% of ₹621 crore in environmental protection fund
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has so far utilised Rs 80.8 crore, or 13 per cent of the total Rs 620.6 crore in the Environmental Protection Charge (EPC) fund. As of now, a total of Rs 620.6 crore has been accrued in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) environmental compensation (EC) account, including bank interest of Rs 99.51 crore. Out of this, Rs 80.82 crore has been utilised, while Rs 138.38 crore has been committed towards 24 sanctioned projects and ongoing activities, said Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Rs 54 crore has been earmarked as performance grants for FY26 under Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines for providing gap funding support to 19 NCR cities. At present, Rs 117.2 crore is available for utilisation, the minister informed. The government launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019 as a national-level strategy to reduce air pollution levels across the country. CPCB identified 130 million-plus and non-attainment cities (cities exceeding National Ambient Air Quality Standards, consecutively for five years). Under NCAP, a total of Rs 13,036.5 crore has been released to 130 million-plus and non-attainment cities from FY20 to July 2020 for implementing various activities to control air pollution, of which Rs 9,209.4 crore has been utilised by urban local bodies. City-specific Clean Air Action Plans have been prepared and rolled out for implementation in all these 130 million-plus cities to improve air quality. These plans target city-specific air polluting sources such as soil and road dust, vehicles, domestic fuel, MSW burning, construction material, and industries, with short-term priority actions as well as those to be implemented in the medium to longer term, along with the concerned agencies. Source apportionment studies conducted in cities under NCAP reveal that dust from road and construction and demolition activities are major sources of PM10, contributing almost 40-50 per cent in most cities.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Centre's move for coal plants to hit environment: Think tank
1 2 Ranchi: The Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC)'s decision to exempt nearly 78% of India's thermal power plants (TPPs) from installing 'flue gas desulphurisation' (FGD) system would further wreak with the air quality of Jharkhand, where the power plants are thermal based. This was stated by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), an independent research body. Earlier this month, MoEFCC announced its move to exempt FGD installation for 'Category C' power plants. These plants are not located within 10 km radius of critically polluted areas (CPAs) or non-attainment cities. 'Category B' plants will be assessed on a case-to-case basis by the environmental appraisal committee while 2027 deadline for 'Category A' stays in place. CREA senior analyst Manoj Kumar said, "We have studied this decision's impact on all states with coal. Jharkhand would face the worst problems as it has 13 thermal power units, totaling 4,250 MW. All these units fall under 'Category C'. Of the 13 power plants, only two owned by the Central sector has installed FGD system." The govt's move to exempt FGD installation for 'Category C' plantsm despite proven benefits in reducing sulfur dioxide (SO₂), PM 2.5, and mercury emissions, and producing reusable gypsum for the cement industry, are unwarranted. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo "India is the world's largest emitter of SO₂, contributing nearly 20% of global anthropogenic SO₂ emissions. Coal-fired power plants account for 60% of India's SO₂ output, as they burn 70% of the country's coal. Emission norms introduced in 2015 mandated the use of FGD systems to cut SO₂ emissions from power plants, but a July 2025 notification has diluted these requirements," it added. Citing health impacts, it noted that power plants are responsible for up to 2,200 premature deaths annually in Jharkhand during 2018. "Studies show PM2.5 from power plants is twice as toxic as that from other sources," it said. An official at the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board said, "We don't have much role to play in the policy changes made by the Union govt. We will ensure compliance of all the prescribed norms to arrest all kinds of pollution." CREA further said that air quality in Jharkhand is already under stress. "IIT Delhi assessed the impact of power plants in all airsheds of India and found that 3-8 % is contributed by power plants in Jharkhand airsheds. Further, IIT Bombay assessed at city level and found that 4 to 24 % of PM2.5 is from the power sector in the Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Dhanbad cities. All these three cities are under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Exempting compliance will further delay the achievement of up to 40% reduction in pollution levels in NCAP cities," it said.
Mint
5 days ago
- Business
- Mint
India rolls out targeted air pollution control plans for 130 major cities
New Delhi: In a bid to tackle worsening air quality in India's major cities, the government has launched targeted clean air action plans across 130 cities with over 1 million residents each, minister of state for environment, forest and climate change Kirti Vardhan Singh said on Thursday. The city-specific plans, part of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), will target air polluting sources like soil and road dust, vehicles, domestic fuel, municipal solid waste burning, construction material, and industries, the minister told Parliament. Air pollution in India, especially in its big cities, is a major issue, and it is severely affecting public health and the overall quality of life. The government had launched the NCAP in 2019 to reduce air pollution. Source Apportionment (SA) studies conducted in cities under the NCAP reveals that dust from road and construction and demolition activities are the major sources of PM10 that contributes 40-50% to the pollution in most cities. SA is defined as a local study that determines the contributing sources to ambient particulate matter (PM) measured at monitoring stations. Under the NCAP, the cities have prioritized road improvement works, traffic decongestion, junction improvements, and greening of open spaces under the specific action plans, Singh said. Around ₹ 13,036 crore has been released for the 130 cities under NCAP from the start of FY20 to 20 July, 2025 towards implementation of various activities to control air pollution. Of this amount, ₹ 9,209 crore has been utilized by urban local bodies. Specific actions towards the control of industrial pollution are primarily being implemented by industries and the monitoring and enforcement of emission norms are being carried out by the state pollution control boards. To address vehicular pollution, the government has notified BS-VI emission norms for fuels, leapfrogging from BS-IV. The central government has also launched schemes such as PM E-DRIVE and PM-eBus Sewa to promote electric mobility. In order to control biomass burning in agricultural fields, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has framed guidelines to provide a one-time financial assistance for setting up of paddy straw-based pelletisation and torrefaction plants that may help address the supply chain issues and the issue of open burning of paddy straw in fields in north India. The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and adjoining areas (CAQM) has also issued directions for co-firing of 5-10% biomass with coal in thermal power plants located within 300 km of Delhi, and in captive power plants of industrial units located in NCR. Performance-based grants are also being released to urban local bodies of the earmarked 130 cities under NCAP through the Central Sector Scheme Control of Pollution and the 15th Finance Commission (XVFC) air quality grants for implementation of the activities of approved city action plans. The minister also rejected a private entity report,'World Air Quality Report 2024', which had ranked India as world's fifth most-polluted country. Singh said, as per report, 38% of data sources are from government agencies and the remaining 62% is from other agencies. The data used for analysis includes data generated through low-cost sensors (LCS), which is not used for regulatory purposes. The data from a variety of monitors and data sources may have a degree of error and uncertainty and is, therefore, prone to be misleading, the minister told Parliament.
