National Clean Air Programme : All you need to know

To counter these ever increasing issues arising from air pollution, National Clean Air Programme was launched in January 2019.

The Goal
The goal of the National Clean Air Programme is to target a 30% reduction, by 2024, in the concentration levels of:

• PM2.5
• PM10

The year 2017 will be considered as a reference year for comparison of concentrations.

The Objective

• To augment and evolve effective and proficient ambient air quality monitoring network across the country for ensuring comprehensive and reliable database.
• To have efficient data dissemination and public outreach mechanism for timely measures for prevention and mitigation of air pollution and for inclusive public participation in both planning and implementation of the programmes and policies of government on air pollution.
• To have feasible management plan for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.

The Approach
The National Clean Air Programme will have to adopt broad range of approaches which will include:

• Collaborative efforts between relevant bodies
• Multi-scale and Cross-Sectoral Co-ordination between relevant bodies

Government Initiatives

Under the National Clean Air Programme, the government will be implementing and executing several initiatives. The intent of these initiatives will be to help monitor, study, preserve, protect and improve air quality standards.

The Government Initiatives are listed below:

• National Air Quality Monitoring Programme
• National Ambient Air Quality Standards
• National Air Quality Index
• Forty-two Action Point
• Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority
• Impetus on Vehicular Pollution
• Graded Response Action Plan
• Source Apportionment Studies

Depending on the current standards, a number of cities have been chosen for this intervention.