Rs. 70.37crore sanctioned in FY 2022-23 under National Ambient Air Quality Programme for establishment, operation and maintenance of Air Quality Monitoring Stations – EQ

In Short : In the fiscal year 2022-23, an allocation of Rs. 70.37 crore has been sanctioned under the National Ambient Air Quality Programme. This funding is intended for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of Air Quality Monitoring Stations. The initiative underscores a commitment to monitoring and improving air quality standards for environmental and public health considerations.

In Detail : National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) has been launched in January, 2019 which is a long-term, time-bound national level strategy for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution. Under NCAP, it has been envisaged to achieve target of 20 to 30% reduction in Particulate Matter concentrations by 2024 in 131 cities of 24 States/UTs with respect to base year 2017. Subsequently, the target has been revised to achieve up to 40% reduction or achieve National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in terms PM concentrations by 2025-26.

Due to implementation of city action plans under NCAP, 90 cities out of 131 cities have shown improvement in air quality in terms of annual PM10 concentrations in FY 2022-23 with respect to the baseline of FY 2017-18. 15 cities have met National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10 (60 µg/m3) in FY 2022-23. Details of progress made by the cities in meeting air quality targets in FY 2022-23 of 131 cities are enclosed at Annexure I

Guidelines for criteria for establishing air quality monitoring stations based on the population of a city/town, have been issued by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Based on the guidelines, ambient air quality monitoring is carried out in 516 cities/towns in the country having 1449 air quality monitoring stations out which 26 monitoring stations are part of rural areas.

Further, an amount of ₹ 70.37crore has been sanctioned in FY 2022-23 under National Ambient Air Quality Programme (NAMP) for providing financial assistance to States/UTs for establishment, operation and maintenance of Air Quality Monitoring Stations.

Funds to 82 Non-attainment Cities under NCAP of Control of Pollution Schemeare allocated based on the guidelines for “Release and utilization of funds under National Clean Air Programme” issued by MoEF&CC and released based on achievement of prescribed annual air pollution reduction targets in terms of PM10 concentrations.

To meet the objectives of NCAP, 131 cities have prepared City Action Plans to take measures to improve air quality. To review the monitoring and implementation of the programme, committees have been constituted at Central, State and City levels. State-wise details of release and utilization of funds against the allocation made during FY 2019-20 till 2023-24till date are provided at Annexure II

Annexure I

Annexure II

This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.