NCAP - National Clean Air Programme - Why is the initiative needed?

India is dedicated to a clean atmosphere and pollution-free air and water. It is considered necessary in our Constitution. According to Article 253 of the Constitution, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 was introduced to apply the decisions that were made at the UN Conference on Human Environment at Stockholm in June 1972, wherein India participated. Sustainable development is an important component of India's development principle given for improving human well-being. For the previous three decades, India has experienced a stage of rapid industrial activity. The development in industrialization and urbanization has resulted in numerous pollution problems, especially air pollution.
Air pollution is presently one of the world's leading environmental problems. Emissions from air pollution are linked with many industries such as electricity, transport, housing, agriculture, construction, and industry. The effects of air pollution are not confined to health but expand to agriculture and the survival of humans, flora and animal population. As air pollution is not localized, the impact is being felt far away from the source in towns and cities.
To tackle the problem, the Government has taken many important measures including:

i. Pollution under Control Certificate ii. Launching of National Air Quality Index (AQI) iii. Ban on bursting of sound-emitting crackers between 10 PM to 6 AM. iv. Promotion of public transport network v. Banning of the burning of biomass vi. Issuance of directions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 etc.

In the latest policy measures, pollution levels in several significant cities have recently shown some slight improvements. It's not enough and the need to tackle this problem comprehensively at the domestic level now seems to include greater levels of city and rural time-bound projects. The need for NCAP is therefore recognized, to nationally implement air pollution prevention policies on a regional and urban basis.

The following mentioned are the purposes of NCAP –

• The NCAP’s main goal is to – Achieve effective initiative on air pollution prevention, control and reduction, To improve the country’s air quality surveillance network and promote awareness and infrastructure development.
• According to the NCAP, 2017 is the essential year for the concentration comparison. The national approach is to reduce dangerous pollutants (PM2.5 and PM10) in air pollution by 20% - 30% by 2024.
• Increase and develop an efficient, thorough and effective database surveillance system for air quality across the nation.
• Public awareness strategies – to prevent and improve air pollution, - to involve the public both in the preparing and execution of government air pollution programs and policies.
• Technology support
• Establishment of certification organizations for equipment surveillance.
• Source apportionment studies
• Focus on implementation
• Specific policies in the area

A Cross-government effort:

• The NCAP emphasizes the need for cooperation and inter-sectoral coordination between major ministries, state and local authorities.
• The plan’s objectives coordinate with the current strategies and programs, such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change, electric vehicle initiatives, the Smart Cities Mission and many more.
• The NCAP encourages the implementation of its objectives through connections with multi and bilateral international organizations, philanthropic foundations, major technical organizations; industry, academics, and civil society professionals.
• The Apex Committee at the MoEFCC and the Chief Secretary level in the states will be formed to manage enforcement.
• There are inter-sectoral organizations including the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, NITI Aayog, Central Pollution Control Board.

City and Sector Focus:

• The NCAP establishes a direct emphasis on urban actions to enable cleaner air for the nation.
• The NCAP will establish city-specific action plans for all 102 cities crossing national air quality protection norms.
• The Indian Government’s Smart Cities Mission will also be used in the list of uncontacted cities to start clean air programs for the 43 smart cities.
• Last month, the NRDC arranged a workshop to recognize the function of cities in addressing air pollution to safeguard human health.
• Representatives from cities such as Ahmedabad, Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur, West Bengal Pollution Control Board and Central Pollution Control Board have participated and contributed in collective initiatives aimed at reducing air pollution.

Pollution Specific Interventions

• The NCAP also offers relevant sectoral steps to minimize key industries that are responsible for air pollution in many cities. This includes re-suspended road dust control, the electricity industry and industrial emissions associated with building and demolition, emissions of the transport industry, agricultural emissions, and inefficient waste management methods.
• The budget of NCAP for the first two years is estimated at INR 300 crore/USD 42.6 million.
• The experts raised doubts about the project’s budget, which was considered to be too low for important effects throughout the nation. Likewise, there is no powerful legal support for punishment against non-performance.