Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in January 2019 to improve air quality in 130 non-attainment cities. The program is a multisectoral initiative involving central and state governments, urban local bodies, and other stakeholders. MoUs have been signed among ULBs, State Governments and MoEFCC for MillionPlus cities and among CPCB, SPCBs/PCCs and ULBs for Non-Attainment Cities. The NCAP has shown positive results, with 103 cities reducing PM10 concentration in 2024-25 compared to 2017-18.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **NCAP Overview:**
* Launched in January 2019 by MoEFCC.
* Aims to improve air quality in 130 non-attainment and MillionPlus cities across 24 States/UTs.
* Multisectoral initiative involving coordinated efforts.
* **Implementation & Resources:**
* Emphasizes source-specific mitigation via city, state, and national-level action plans.
* Leverages resources from central schemes (Swachh Bharat, AMRUT, Smart City Mission, etc.) and state/local bodies.
* Provides performance-based incentive grants to cities for critical gap funding.
* **Action Plans & Monitoring:**
* City-specific Clean Air Action Plans target pollution from various sources (dust, emissions, waste burning, construction, industrial pollution).
* Committees at national, state, and city levels coordinate, monitor, and evaluate progress and fund utilization.
* **Revised Guidelines & Convergence:**
* Revised guidelines (dated 14.05.2025) direct funds to five key activities, including road improvement for dust control, greening traffic corridors and decongestion.
* Office Memorandum (dated 22.05.2025) urges cities to implement City Action Plans for 100% saturation in mission mode, converging resources from central/state schemes and NCAP funds.
* **Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):**
* MoUs signed among ULBs, State Governments, and MoEFCC for all 48 MillionPlus cities/Urban Agglomerations.
* MoUs signed among CPCB, SPCBs/PCCs, and ULBs for the remaining 82 Non-Attainment Cities.
* MoUs detail stakeholder roles/responsibilities for effective implementation.
* **Funding Mechanism:**
* 48 MillionPlus Cities/Urban Agglomerations funded under the 15th Finance Commission MillionPlus City Challenge Fund.
* 82 Non-Attainment Cities funded under the Control of Pollution Scheme of MoEFCC.
* Rs. 13,036.52 crore provided as performance-linked critical gap funding.
* State-wise fund details are in Annexure I.
* **Air Quality Improvement:**
* 103 cities showed a reduction in PM10 concentration in 2024-25 compared to 2017-18.
* 64 cities reduced PM10 levels by more than 20% compared to the base year (2017-18).
* 25 cities achieved a reduction of more than 40%.
* 22 cities met National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) with PM10 concentrations below 60 µg/m3.
* Air quality improvement details are in Annexure II.
Impact Analysis:
* **Central Government:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for overall program direction, funding, and coordination through MoEFCC and CPCB.
* *Action Required:* Provide funds, monitor program effectiveness, revise guidelines as needed, and ensure inter-agency coordination.
* **State Governments:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for implementing NCAP at the state level, coordinating with ULBs, and monitoring progress.
* *Action Required:* Sign MoUs, develop and implement state-level action plans, allocate resources, and ensure coordination with ULBs and SPCBs/PCCs.
* **Urban Local Bodies (ULBs):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for implementing City Action Plans, utilizing funds effectively, and achieving air quality improvement targets.
* *Action Required:* Sign MoUs, prepare and implement City Action Plans, leverage resources from various schemes, and monitor progress at the city level.
* **State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) / Pollution Control Committees (PCCs):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for monitoring air quality, enforcing regulations, and supporting ULBs in implementing action plans.
* *Action Required:* Sign MoUs, monitor air quality, provide technical support to ULBs, and enforce regulations to control pollution sources.
Key Entities Referenced
National Clean Air Programme NCAP: A Government of India initiative launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to improve air quality in 130 non-attainment and MillionPlus cities across 24 States/UTs.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change MoEFCC: The Indian government ministry responsible for implementing the National Clean Air Programme and related environmental policies.
City Action Plan CAP: A city-specific plan implemented under the NCAP to address air pollution mitigation measures targeting various sources like dust, vehicular emissions, waste burning, and industrial pollution.
Urban Local Bodies ULBs: Local government bodies in cities that are involved in the implementation of City Action Plans under the NCAP.
Central Pollution Control Board CPCB: A statutory organisation under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change responsible for pollution control.
State Pollution Control Boards SPCBs: State-level agencies responsible for implementing pollution control measures and regulations.
15th Finance Commission: The Fifteenth Finance Commission, which provided grants for air quality performance to 48 MillionPlus cities/Urban Agglomerations under the NCAP.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards NAAQS: The ambient air quality standards established nationally, which 22 cities covered under NCAP have met.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1199
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
Status of NCAP
1199. SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE
SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA
SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO
SHRI MANISH JAISWAL:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) the details of present status of ambitious National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
launched by the Government in the year 2019;
(b) the total number of cities in which City Action Plan (CAP) has been implemented by
the Government under NCAP since its initiation;
(c) the extent to which it is successful in improving the air quality in the cities where CAP
has been implemented;
(d) whether the Government has signed any Memorandum of Understanding with State
Governments, civic bodies for effective implementation of various multi-sectoral
interventions under NCAP and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the details of the funds sanctioned and released by the Union Government to various
State Governments for the implementation of CAP for the current financial year?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE
CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (e): National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) launched by Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in January 2019 aims to improve air quality in 130
cities (non-attainment cities and Million-Plus Cities) in 24 States/UTs. NCAP is multi-sectoral
initiative involving the coordinated efforts of the Central and State Governments, Urban Local
Bodies (ULBs), and other stakeholders. It emphasizes source-specific mitigation measures
through city, state, and national-level clean air action plans.
The programme leverages the mobilization of resources through various Central Government
schemes- such as Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), AMRUT, Smart City Mission, SATAT, and
Nagar Van Yojana- including resources from State Governments, UT Administrations,
Municipal Corporations, and Urban Development Authorities to implement City Action Plans
(CAPs). Performance based incentive grant is provided under NCAP to cities for funding the
critical gap.City specific Clean Air Action Plans have been prepared by all cities to implement air quality
improvement measures in respective cities. These plans target air pollution mitigation measures
addressing various sources like soil & road dust, vehicular emissions, waste burning,
Construction & Demolition activities, and industrial pollution.
Committees at National Level (Apex, Steering, Monitoring and Implementation), State level
(Steering and Monitoring) and City level Monitoring and Implementation Committee have been
constituted to coordinate, monitor, evaluate the progress and provide guidance for
implementation of city action plans including utilization of funds.
MoEFCC has revised the guidelines vide letter dated 14.05.2025, and has communicated that
funds provided to 82 cities are to be utilized in 5 key activities including road improvement
works for dust control such as end-to-end pavement of roads, mechanical road sweeping,
greening of traffic corridors, improvement of traffic junctions for decongestion, etc.
Further, MoEFCC vide Office Memorandum dated 22.05.2025 has communicated to the cities
to implement City Action Plan for 100% saturation in Mission mode by leveraging resources
through convergence with the Central & State Govt. Schemes, funds allocated under NCAP
and their own resources.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed among the Urban Local Bodies
(ULB), State Governments and MoEF&CC for all 48 Million-Plus cities/Urban
Agglomerations. Also, MoUs have been signed among Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB), State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/ Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) and
ULBs for remaining 82 Non-Attainment Cities (NACs) identified under NCAP. These MoUs
detail out the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders for the effective implementation of
various multi-sectoral interventions under NCAP.
Out of 130 cities, 48 Million-Plus Cities/ Urban Agglomerations are funded under 15th Finance
Commission Million-Plus City Challenge Fund as an air quality performance grant, and
remaining 82 cities are funded under Control of Pollution Scheme of MoEFCC. Performance
linked grant of Rs. 13,036.52 crore has been provided to 130 cities as critical gap funding to
implement air quality improvement measures. State-wise details of funds sanctioned and
released under NCAP are provided at Annexure I.
The focused actions by 130 cities under NCAP have shown positive results with 103 cities
showing reduction in PM10 concentration in 2024-25 with respect to 2017-18, out of which 64
cities have shown reduction in PM10 levels by more than 20% with respect to base year 2017-
18 and 25 of these cities have achieved a reduction of more than 40%. A total of 22 Cities have
met National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and have PM10 Concentrations less
than 60 µg/m3. Details of air quality improvement in cities covered under NCAP is placed at
Annexure II.
***Annexure I
Details of State Wise sanction & release under NCAP & XVFC air quality grants
(Amount in Rs. crore)
Funds sanctioned and Funds
S. Funds released
State released during 2019- allocated in
No. in FY 2025-26
20 to 2024-25 2025-26
1 Andhra Pradesh 361.09 126.16 23.08
2 Assam 70.66 38.06 19.04
3 Bihar 328.11 143.67 41.23
4 Chandigarh 32.81 10.56 5.28
5 Chhattisgarh 295.64 69.07 4.78
6 Delhi 42.69 38.67 19.34
7 Gujarat 1262.42 241.00 20.56
8 Haryana 94.53 29.00 12.61
9 Himachal Pradesh 17.50 5.34 2.67
10 Jammu & Kashmir 115.95 72.05 36.02
11 Jharkhand 279.44 95.00 0.00
12 Karnataka 597.52 194.41 14.20
13 Madhya Pradesh 767.04 207.21 53.00
14 Maharashtra 1754.40 512.45 20.22
15 Meghalaya 7.95 4.21 2.10
16 Nagaland 20.00 11.13 5.56
17 Odisha 74.61 32.93 16.46
18 Punjab 298.30 105.85 27.47
19 Rajasthan 661.25 181.15 19.13
20 Tamilnadu 641.91 144.81 10.33
21 Telangana 726.33 143.73 11.47
22 Uttar Pradesh 2591.78 704.52 231.20
23 Uttrakhand 68.27 34.70 17.35
24 West Bengal 1278.53 276.32 34.68
Total 12388.73 3422* 647.79
*Note:
1. Rs. 2621 crore has been allocated for 48 Million-plus cities/ Urban Agglomerations under
15th Finance Commission grants for the FY 2025-26.
2. Rs. 801.00 crore has been sanctioned in FY 2025-26 of which Rs. 400.5 crore has been
released.Annexure-II
Improvement in PM10 concentrations of cities under NCAP in FY 2024-25 w.r.t. FY 2017-18
Improvement
in PM in
10
S. No. of
2024-25 w.r.t Cities
No. Cities
FY 2017-18
(%)
Gujarat (2): Rajkot, Surat; Himachal Pradesh (1): Nalagarh; Jammu &
Kashmir (1): Srinagar; Jharkhand (1): Dhanbad; Maharashtra (3):
Badlapur, Greater Mumbai, Ulhasnagar; Meghalaya (1): Byrnihat;
1 40 & above 25 Nagaland (1): Kohima; Punjab (2): Amritsar, Jalandhar; Tamil Nadu (1):
Tuticorin; Uttar Pradesh (11): Agra, Allahabad, Bareilly, Firozabad,
Ghaziabad, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Moradabad, Raebareli, Varanasi;
Uttarakhand (1): Dehradun
Andhra Pradesh (6): Ananthpur, Kadapa, Kurnool, Nellore,
Rajahmundry, Vijayawada; Assam (2): Nagaon, Sivasagar; Gujarat (2):
Ahmedabad, Vadodara; Haryana (1): Faridabad; Himachal Pradesh (4):
Baddi, Kala Amb, Parwanoo, Sunder Nagar; Jammu & Kashmir (1):
Jammu; Jharkhand (1): Ranchi; Karnataka (3): Bengaluru, Devanagere,
2 20-40 39 Hubli-Dharwad; Madhya Pradesh (1): Jabalpur; Maharashtra (3): Akola,
Amravati; Thane Nagaland (1): Dimapur; Punjab (4): Dera Baba Nanak,
Khanna, Ludhiana, Naya Nangal; Rajasthan (2): Alwar, Jodhpur; Tamil
Nadu (1): Trichy; Telangana (1): Hyderabad; Uttar Pradesh (3): Gajraula,
Gorakhpur, Noida; Uttarakhand (1): Rishikesh; West Bengal (2):
Howrah, Kolkata
Andhra Pradesh (4): Chitur, Eluru, Guntur, Ongole; Assam (2):
Guwahati, Nalbari; Bihar (2): Muzaffarpur, Patna; Chhattisgarh (1):
Durg-Bhilainagar; Delhi (1): Delhi; Himachal Pradesh (1): Paonta Sahib;
Karnataka (1): Gulbarga/Kalaburgi; Madhya Pradesh (3): Bhopal,
Gwalior, Ujjain; Maharashtra (9): Chandrapur, Jalna, Kolhapur, Latur,
3 <20 39
Nagpur, Nashik, Pune, Sangli, Vasai-Virar; Odisha (1): Cuttack; Punjab
(2): Mandi-Gobindgarh, Patiala; Rajasthan (3): Jaipur, Kota, Udaipur;
Tamil Nadu (2): Chennai, Madurai; Uttar Pradesh (3): Anpara, Khurja,
Meerut; Uttarakhand (1): Kashipur; West Bengal (3): Asansol, Durgapur,
Haldia
Andhra Pradesh (7): Ananthpur, Chittur, Kadapa, Kurnool, Nellore,
Ongole, Rajamuhndary; Assam (2): Silchar, Sivasagar; Himachal
Cities
Pradesh (3): Damtal, Parwanoo, Sunder Nagar; Karnataka (2):
4 meeting 22
Devanagere, Gulburga / Kalaburgi; Punjab (2): Dera Baba Nanak, Naya
NAAQS
Nangal; Tamil Nadu (3): Chennai, Trichy, Tuticorin; Uttar Pradesh (3):
Bareily, Jhansi, Varanasi
*****