Helena Joyce
India is facing a pollution crisis, with 13 of its cities ranking among the world's most polluted in 2024. However, several Indian cities are taking action to combat pollution. For example, Pune has implemented a strategic health risk communication program and is improving non-motorized transportation options. Surat is piloting an Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) for particulate matter, and Indore, Surat, and Thiruvananthapuram are leading in plastic waste management. New Delhi has also finalized a comprehensive EV policy to reduce vehicle pollution. These initiatives demonstrate India's commitment to winning the war against pollution and improving public health and the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Indian cities among the world's top 10 polluted cities | 6 |
| Number of Indian cities among the world's top 30 polluted cities | 17-21 |
| Indian cities with the highest air pollution | New Delhi, Noida, Kolkata |
| Main sources of air pollution | Industrial emissions, vehicle emissions, construction dust and debris, thermal power plants, waste burning, crop burning, biomass burning |
| Percentage of air pollution caused by industrial pollution | 51% |
| Percentage of air pollution caused by vehicles | 27% |
| Percentage of air pollution caused by crop burning | 17% |
| Government initiatives to combat air pollution | National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), National Air Quality Index, Real Urban Emissions (TRUE) Initiative, Corporate Air Emissions Reporting Guide, India Lighthouse initiative |
| Strategies to improve air quality | Standardizing tools and data sets, expanding renewable energy, promoting electric vehicles, supplying LPG cooking fuel, improving fuel standards, implementing performance-based fiscal transfer funding programs |
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What You'll Learn
The National Clean Air Programme
India is one of the world's most polluted countries, with 17 of the world's 30 most polluted cities located within it. The capital, New Delhi, has the poorest air quality among capital cities globally, with particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations nearly 10 times higher than World Health Organization guidelines.
The Government of India's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is a significant step toward addressing the country's air quality issues. The NCAP provides an overarching framework for cities to develop air quality management plans, with guidance on policies across various sectors. The program initially focused on 122 cities, but has since expanded to include more.
The NCAP sets a time-bound goal for enhancing air quality nationwide, with a particular focus on around 132 "non-attainment" cities that do not meet air pollution standards. To support this initiative, the Indian government has allocated approximately $1.7 billion to combat air pollution over five years for 42 cities with populations of one million or more. This funding is contingent on these cities reducing their air pollution levels by 15% annually.
The NCAP emphasizes the need for consistent monitoring and reporting, along with stronger compliance and enforcement. Cities must ensure that grants provided for pollution reduction projects maximize their impact on lowering air pollution. Local and regional capacities need strengthening to develop and implement effective air quality management strategies, aligning with NCAP's overall framework.
To achieve success, strong leadership and ambitious actions are required at the city level. The NCAP recommends adopting an "airshed approach," particularly for non-attainment cities concentrated within specific regions. This approach promotes interstate and regional collaboration to address the transboundary nature of air pollution.
The NCAP also highlights the importance of prioritizing PM2.5 reduction over PM10. While both are harmful, PM2.5 is more detrimental to health and warrants greater attention. The program encourages regular updates for emission and pollution load data, granting fiscal autonomy to urban local bodies to maintain infrastructure for improved air quality, and shifting from city-centric to airshed-centric air quality management.
The NCAP is a comprehensive initiative to tackle India's air pollution crisis, providing a structured approach for cities to improve air quality and protect public health.
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The Gujarat Pollution Control Board
India is one of the world's most polluted countries, with 17 of the world's 30 most polluted cities located within it. The capital, New Delhi, is the most polluted capital city globally, with particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations nearly ten times higher than World Health Organization guidelines. As such, many of its cities are fighting a war against pollution.
The GPCB has been working towards better pollution control and improved management over the years. It has been entrusted with Central Acts and relevant Rules for pollution control and has released guidance manuals for various industries to control pollution and enforce environmental norms.
The GPCB assists with ambient air quality, noise monitoring, and stack monitoring for environmental surveillance in the Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat, and Vadodara Zones. Additionally, it has implemented retrofitting emission control devices/equipment in DG Sets with a capacity of 125 KVA and above in the state of Gujarat.
The GPCB is also involved in projects like the Standard Operating Procedure for the disposal of de-inking sludge generated from white paper manufacturing units into abandoned mines. It also assists in operationalising functional effluent treatment plants for industrial water pollution control.
Overall, the Gujarat Pollution Control Board plays a crucial role in Gujarat's efforts to combat pollution and improve the environment, focusing on both water and air quality.
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India's Plastic-Free Initiatives
India is taking significant steps to address its air pollution crisis, which is driven by emissions from fossil fuels, agriculture, industry, power plants, households, and transport. The Government of India has implemented the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which aims to improve air quality across the country, with a focus on 132 cities that are not meeting air pollution standards. The NCAP provides a framework for cities to develop air quality management plans and has allocated funding to fight air pollution in 42 cities.
To support the NCAP, the Indian government has increased funding to cities to improve air quality through a performance-based grant program. Several Indian cities have developed local Clean Air Plans (CAPs) to meet air quality targets, and the National Capital Region has created a Commission for Air Quality Management to implement pollution control strategies for the Delhi airshed. New Delhi has also finalized a comprehensive EV policy to reduce vehicle pollution.
In addition to government efforts, organizations like the Clean Air Fund and Earth5R are working to improve air quality in India. The Clean Air Fund supports government initiatives, catalyzes innovation in air quality management, and empowers healthcare professionals to address the health impacts of air pollution. Earth5R, an environmental organization based in India, focuses on plastic waste management and community engagement to create a plastic-free future.
Community action and innovation are integral to India's Plastic-Free Initiatives. Weekly cleanups, volunteer mobilization, and policy advocacy are key strategies for organizations like Project Mumbai and Afroz Shah's Clean-up Versova Beach. Earth5R's Eco Bricks program repurposes plastic waste into building blocks, and their collaboration with partners aims to clean plastic waste from the Mithi River in Mumbai. India's startup ecosystem is also embracing bio-based packaging and compostable products, driving a green shift in various sectors.
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The National Capital Region's Commission for Air Quality Management
The National Capital Region Commission for Air Quality Management is dedicated to developing and implementing pollution control strategies for the Delhi airshed. The Commission consists of a Chairperson, an officer of Joint Secretary rank as member-secretary and Chief Coordinating Officer, a current or former Joint Secretary from the central government as a full-time member, three independent technical members with air pollution expertise, and three members from non-governmental organisations.
The Commission has the sole authority over matters defined in the Ordinance, and its orders override those of state governments, the Central Pollution Control Board, state PCBs, and state-level statutory bodies. Contravention of the Ordinance or the Commission's orders is punishable by up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to one crore rupees, or both.
The National Capital Region, particularly New Delhi, has been facing a severe air pollution crisis. New Delhi is the most polluted capital city globally, with particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations nearly ten times higher than World Health Organization guidelines. The main sources of air pollution in the region include thermal power plants, vehicle emissions, industrial emissions, crop residue burning, and the use of wood and dirty fuels for cooking and heating.
To address this crisis, the Commission has implemented the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes measures to be taken during different stages of air quality severity. For example, during Stage III ('Severe' Air Quality), specific actions are outlined to mitigate pollution. Additionally, the Commission has directed steps for effective air pollution control, such as those outlined under Section 12 of the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) has also played a crucial role in improving air quality in the National Capital Region. The NCAP provides an overall framework for developing air quality management plans and offers guidance on policies across various sectors. It focuses on 132 "non-attainment" cities that fail to meet air pollution standards, including 42 cities with million-plus populations. The Indian government has allocated significant funding to support NCAP efforts and has set time-bound goals for improving air quality.
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The Clean Air Plans (CAPs)
India is one of the world's most polluted countries, with 17 of the world's 30 most polluted cities located in the country. The capital, New Delhi, has the poorest air quality among capital cities globally. As a result, several Indian cities have developed local Clean Air Plans (CAPs) to meet air quality targets under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
The NCAP provides an overall framework for cities to develop air quality management plans, with guidance on policies across a range of sectors. The programme has set a time-bound goal for improving air quality across the country, focusing on around 132 "non-attainment" cities where air pollution standards are not being met. The Indian government has also set aside about $1.7 billion to fight air pollution over five years for 42 cities with populations of over one million. This funding is conditional on these cities reducing their air pollution levels by 15% every year.
The Clean Air Action Plan identifies strategies to reduce pollution from ships, trucks, trains, cargo-handling equipment, and harbor craft. It also provides funding, guidance, and staff support to test clean air technologies. The Real Urban Emissions (TRUE) Initiative, supported by the ICCT, worked with authorities in Delhi and Gurugram to conduct emissions testing of on-road vehicles and provided recommendations to the city governments.
The National Capital Region created a new Commission for Air Quality Management dedicated to developing and implementing pollution control strategies for the Delhi airshed. New Delhi also finalized one of India's most comprehensive EV policies in 2020 to reduce pollution from vehicles. Additionally, the Clean Air Fund has been working with government, businesses, and research organizations to help achieve India's clean air goals by improving the generation of air quality data and evidence to inform policymaking.
To support CAP implementation, the national government increased funding to cities to improve air quality through a new performance-based grant program from the Finance Commission (FC) in late 2020. This funding is intended to supplement the efforts of the Financial Commission and NCAP.
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Frequently asked questions
Delhi is the most polluted capital city in the world. It has the poorest air quality among capital cities, with particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations nearly 10 times higher than the World Health Organization guidelines.
India is taking several steps to address air pollution, including:
- The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aims to improve air quality across 132 cities that fail to meet air pollution standards.
- The government has set aside funding to fight air pollution in 42 cities with million-plus populations.
- The National Capital Region created a Commission for Air Quality Management to develop and implement pollution control strategies for the Delhi airshed.
- The city of Delhi has implemented emergency response protocols, old vehicle scrapping efforts, and pollution monitoring.
- Other cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Surat, Kanpur, and Lucknow have shown progress in reducing pollution levels.
The main sources of air pollution in India include:
- Thermal power plants
- Pollution from vehicles
- Industrial emissions
- Burning of crop residue
- Burning of wood and dirty fuels for cooking and heating
- Household emissions
- Secondary particulate matter formation from the mixture of gaseous pollutants
Air pollution has severe health and economic impacts on India. It accounts for more than 2 million deaths annually and causes respiratory, cardiovascular, and other diseases. It also led to economic losses, offsetting nearly 1.36% of India's GDP in 2019.
