Parliament Question: Air quality improvement programmes in Delhi

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 53 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026 Air quality improvement programmes in Delhi 53. MS. SWATI MALIWAL: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) the funds approved and released for Delhi under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and the 15th Finance Commission (XV-FC) grants for air quality improvement, year-wise since inception; (b) the details of specific projects sanctioned under both the streams, including their objectives, timelines and current status; (c) the corresponding fund utilisation by each implementing agency; and (d) whether there has been significant under-utilisation of these funds in Delhi and if so, the reasons identified and corrective measures taken? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) to (d): Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has allocated critical gap funding ₹99.77 crore during FY 2021-2025 to Government of NCT Delhi under ‘Control of Pollution’ scheme of MoEF&CC under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for implementation of city action plans to take measures to improve air quality. An amount of ₹ 81.36 crore has been released for Delhi under NCAP. Year-wise details of allocation, release and utilization of funds for Delhi under NCAP are mentioned below: (Rs. in Crore) Allocation of funds FY 2021-22 FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 11.25 22.5 8.94 38.67 Funds released 11.25 22.5 8.94 38.67 An amount of Rs. 18.41 crore has been allocated for the FY 2025-26 to Delhi. Government of NCT of Delhi has reported that MCD and NDMC have spent Rs. 15.74 crore (MCD: Rs. 13.41 crore and NDMC: Rs. 2.33 crore) for procurement of 28 integrated anti-smog guns, end-to-end pavement of roads & water sprinklers, greening of traffic corridors & open areas and collection of 4000 tonnes per day C&D waste. MCD and NDMC have planned various activities in this financial year for Rs. 65.62 crore which are at various stages of implementation.