Capital misses NCAP's PM10 target, trails behind Noida, Pg3

Key Highlights:

• Delhi achieved only a 16% reduction in PM10 levels against a 22% target under the NCAP.
• Noida surpassed its 30% target with a 35% reduction in PM10 levels, outperforming Delhi.
• 103 cities showed some reduction in pollution compared to 2017-18 levels under the NCAP.
• 27 cities primarily in Odisha, Maharashtra, Telangana, and other states, showed no reduction in pollution.

Detailed Insights:

• The NCAP, launched in 2019, aimed to reduce air pollution in 130 'non-attainment' cities that consistently fail to meet air quality standards.
• While 18 cities met the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10 levels, nearly one-fifth of non-attainment cities showed zero reduction since 2017.
• Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest gains nationally, reducing PM10 levels by 77%, while Nalgonda in Telangana had the worst performance.
• The Union Environment Ministry submitted data to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), highlighting disparities in achieving targets under NCAP.

Key Concepts Involved:

• PM10: Inhalable particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less.
• NCAP (National Clean Air Programme): A program by the Ministry of Environment to reduce air pollution in cities.
• NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards): Standards for ambient air quality set by the government.