India has witnessed a significant reduction in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution since 2016. However, a recent study published in Science Advances suggests this improvement is not directly linked to the country’s flagship National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
Launched in 2019 by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, NCAP aimed to cut particulate matter levels by 20-30% by 2024, relative to 2017 levels, in 131 highly polluted cities. Yet, India has revised the target to a 40% reduction by 2025-26 relative to 2019-2020, acknowledging missed milestones.
PM2.5, microscopic particles that penetrate deep into the lungs, pose severe health risks. The study reveals a declining trend in PM2.5 levels since 2016-2018, especially in northern India. However, researchers found no evidence that NCAP contributed significantly to the drop in 2021 and 2022. Instead, factors such as the COVID-19 lockdowns, Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emission standards, and closure of power plants near Delhi played a more pivotal role.
“Air quality improvements are influenced by both policy actions and meteorological conditions,” noted Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), who was not part of the study. She emphasized the importance of addressing combustion sources like vehicles, industries, and waste burning for sustained progress.
The study highlights limitations in India’s air pollution tracking system, which includes only 966 monitoring stations across 419 cities—a stark contrast to countries like China and the U.S. To overcome this gap, researchers used machine learning models and remote sensing data to analyze PM2.5 trends from 2005 to 2023.
The data reveals substantial regional variations. Northern states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan saw the most notable reductions in PM2.5, while cities like New Delhi and Kolkata still exceed national air quality guidelines. New Delhi, in particular, recorded an average PM2.5 concentration of 88.67 μg/m³ in 2022—more than double the recommended limit.
CSE’s 2024 report highlighted flaws in NCAP’s design and implementation. It criticized the government’s focus on tracking PM10, a less harmful pollutant, instead of PM2.5. Additionally, 64% of funds from the 15th Finance Commission were allocated to reducing road dust, while combustion sources received minimal attention.
For meaningful progress, experts advocate for reforming NCAP’s metrics, prioritizing PM2.5 tracking, and strengthening convergence funding with initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission and Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME-II).
As India continues to battle air pollution, the study underscores the need for comprehensive strategies that address all major pollution sources to ensure cleaner air and healthier communities.
