Context:
Delhi has utilized only 14% of the ₹99.77 crore allocated under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) since 2019, raising concerns over the effectiveness of air pollution mitigation efforts in the national capital.
Key Highlights:
Government Initiative – National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
• NCAP, launched in January 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), aims to reduce particulate pollution (PM10 and PM2.5) levels in 131 non-attainment cities.
• Target: 20–30% reduction in particulate matter by 2024, later revised to up to 40% reduction by 2025-26 (with 2017 as the base year).
• Cities prepare city-specific action plans including traffic management, dust control, waste management, and industrial emission regulation.
Utilisation of Funds
• Delhi has spent only ₹14.1 crore (14%) of ₹99.77 crore allocated since 2019.
• In contrast, nearby NCR cities such as Ghaziabad and Meerut have utilized over 80% of their allocated funds.
• Low spending indicates administrative bottlenecks and implementation gaps in pollution mitigation.
Budgetary Allocation and Scheme Linkages
• The Union Budget 2026-27 allocated ₹1,091 crore under the “Control of Pollution” scheme of MoEFCC.
• NCAP functions as a sub-component of this scheme.
• Parliamentary Committee concerns:
• Only ₹7.22 crore spent (till January 31, 2025) against Revised Estimate of ₹858 crore for 2024-25, indicating major utilization issues.
Institutional and Stakeholder Framework
• Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) coordinates air pollution management across the Delhi-NCR region.
• Budget allocation: ₹35.26 crore for 2026-27.
• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) manages Environment Protection Charge (EPC) funds collected from diesel vehicles.
Funding Streams for Pollution Control
• NCAP funds for city action plans.
• Finance Commission grants to million-plus cities for air quality improvement.
• Environment Protection Charge (EPC) imposed on diesel vehicles entering Delhi-NCR.
Significance / Concerns
• Delhi consistently records extremely high PM2.5 and PM10 levels, especially in winter.
• Under-utilization of funds weakens policy impact, delaying implementation of pollution control measures.
• Indicates institutional coordination problems among multiple agencies.
Relevant Prelims Points:
• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
• Launched: 2019
• Implemented by: MoEFCC
• Coverage: 131 non-attainment cities (cities not meeting National Ambient Air Quality Standards).
• Target: Up to 40% reduction in PM levels by 2025-26.
• Base Year: 2017.
• Focus pollutants: PM10 and PM2.5.
- Particulate Matter (PM)
• PM10: Particles with diameter ≤10 micrometers.
• PM2.5: Particles with diameter ≤2.5 micrometers; more dangerous as they penetrate deep into lungs. - Environment Protection Charge (EPC)
• Levy on diesel vehicles entering Delhi-NCR.
• Introduced based on Supreme Court directions.
• Funds managed by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). - Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
• Statutory body created through Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.
• Coordinates actions among central government, state governments, and pollution control boards.
Relevant Mains Points:
Issue: Inefficient Utilisation of Environmental Funds
• Highlights implementation deficits in urban environmental governance.
• Reflects capacity constraints of urban local bodies and state agencies.
• Weak fund utilisation undermines evidence-based air pollution mitigation strategies.
Structural Challenges in Air Pollution Governance
• Fragmented institutional framework (multiple agencies such as CPCB, DPCC, CAQM, municipal bodies).
• Limited monitoring infrastructure for emissions and air quality.
• Slow project approvals and bureaucratic delays.
• Urban planning failures such as poor public transport integration and construction dust.
Implications for Environmental Policy
• Reduces effectiveness of flagship programmes like NCAP.
• Weakens India’s commitment to sustainable urban development and SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities).
• Impacts public health, as air pollution contributes to respiratory diseases and premature deaths.
Way Forward
• Strengthen accountability mechanisms for fund utilization through performance audits.
• Improve coordination between central, state, and local agencies under CAQM.
• Enhance capacity of urban local bodies to implement pollution control projects.
• Integrate technology-based monitoring systems for real-time air quality management.
• Promote public transport, electric mobility, and dust control measures to reduce emissions.
UPSC Relevance:
• Prelims: National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), CAQM, Environment Protection Charge, particulate matter pollution.
• Mains: GS Paper III – Environmental Pollution, Government Policies and Interventions for Environmental Protection, Urban Environmental Governance.