TracingtheHazyAir2023ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)January2023CREAisanindependentresearchorganisationfocusedonrevealingthetrends,causes,andhealthimpacts,aswellasthesolutionstoairpollution.TracingtheHazyAir2023:ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)AboutCREATheCentreforResearchonEnergyandCleanAir(CREA)isanindependentresearchorganisationfocusedonunderstandingthetrends,causes,healthimpactsandsolutionstoairpollution.CREAusesscientificdata,researchandevidencetosupporttheeffortsofgovernments,companiesandorganizationsworldwideintheireffortstomovetowardscleanenergyandcleanair,believingthateffectiveresearchandcommunicationarethekeystosuccessfulpolicies,investmentdecisionsandadvocacyefforts.CREAwasfoundedinDecember2019andhasstaffinseveralAsianandEuropeancountries.Formoreinformation:https://energyandcleanair.org/TracingtheHazyAir2023:ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)January2023TracingtheHazyAir2023:ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)ContentsSummary1Introduction4PurposeandScopeoftheReport7MaterialsandMethodology8TrackingProgress9InstitutionalStrengthening9TrainingandCapacityBuilding11AirInformationCentresandTechnologyAssessmentCell12CertificationSystemforMonitoringInstruments12AirQualityForecastingSystem13KnowledgeandDatabaseAugmentation18AmbientAirQualityMonitoringNetwork18FinancialSupportforImplementationofNCAP27MitigationActions27AirQualityImprovementTargetsunderNCAP42AirQuality(PM-10)inNon-AttainmentCities42ConclusionandWayForward45References47Appendix57TracingtheHazyAir2023:1ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)TracingtheHazyAir2023:ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)SummaryTheNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)waslaunchedin2019asadynamicdocumentfocusedaroundformulatingandrenewingactionplansforcombatingparticulatematterpollutionthroughperiodicreviewsbasedonscientificinputs.Further,amid-termreviewwasalsoproposedforsettingoflong-termpollutionreductiontargetsbasedontheresultsobtainedintheprecedingyearssinceinceptionoftheprogram.AlthoughfouryearshaveelapsedsincethelaunchofNCAP,only37ofthe131non-attainmentcitieshavecompletedsourceapportionmentstudies.GreatertransparencyfortrackingthecontinuedprogressofNCAPcanbeachievedbyallowingpublicaccesstothesestudiesalongwithensuringregularupdationofthecityactionplansbasedonthesourceapportionmentstudiesconductedinordertodeveloparobustandcomprehensivetarget-basedmethodofmitigatingairpollution.Aconvergenceoffundsfromexistingschemeshasbeenadoptedalongwithcriticalgapgrantsforcitieswithmillionpluspopulationasperthe15thFinanceCommissionrecommendationsandforremainingNon-AttainmentcitiesunderNCAP.Theprogramismonitoredthroughanetworkofimplementation,monitoringandreviewcommitteesatthecity,stateandnationallevels.Varioustemplatesandguidelinesforconductingstudies,i.e.,emissioninventory,sourceapportionment,carryingcapacitystudiesandstateactionplansetc.havebeenformulatedoverthepastfouryearsandyetmostoftheactualworkforknowledgeanddatabasebuildinghasbeendelayedbyyearsandstilldoesn’tshowpromisingprogress.Althoughithasbeenreportedthat10StateActionPlanshavebeenformulated,onlyUttarPradeshhasrevealeditsactionplantothepublicasofdate.Noregionalorairshedlevelactionplanshavebeenpreparedtillnow.TracingtheHazyAir2023:2ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)Between2019-22,Indiamanagedtoaddonly45manualambientairqualitymonitoringstationsperyear,totallingto883stationsacross378citiesunderNAMPasofDecember2022.Thisisanincreasefrom703in2019.TheNCAPenvisagedinstalling1,500stationsby2024,whichleaves617stationstobeinstalledovernext2years(2023-24).SincethenotificationoftheNationalCleanAirProgramme(tillDecember2022),atotalofRs652.61croreshavebeenreleasedunderNCAPoutofwhichonlyRs301.69croreswereutilised;whichislessthan50%utilisationofthetotalfunds.ApartfromfundsreleasedunderNCAP,atotalofRs6,435croreswerealsoallocatedunderXVFCforthefinancialyear20-21and21-22,andonlyRs1,629.82crores(~25%)wereutilisedtillDecember2022.WhiletheNationalCleanAirProgrammeisnearingtheendofitsfirststagenextyear,thegovernmentplansonrevampingitinmissionmodewithaspecificfocusthroughactionplansforcriticalpollutingsectorssuchastransport,powerandindustriesamongothersThisreviewhighlightstheexistinglacunaeinthecurrentstructureofNCAPsuchas:●Lackofcomprehensivemechanismtogovernairqualitymanagementatthecity,district,stateandregionallevel/airshedlevel.●Lackofanysubstantiveemissionloadreduction-basedapproachasnoactionplanspeaksofacapontheconsumptionoffossilfuelsanditsreducedusage,especiallyinthepowerandtransportsector.●Lackoftransparentdataavailabilityonairqualitylevelsacrossthecountryintheabsenceofanadequateairqualitymonitoringinfrastructure,lackofintegrationofalreadyexistinginfrastructurei.e.,ambientairqualitymonitoringstationsinstalledbyindustriesincomplianceofEnvironmentalClearance(EC)conditionsandusageofsatellitedataforremoteassessmentofpollutionlevelsinasystematicmanner.●Lackofintegrationofairqualitymanagementplanswithforecastingmechanisms,ContinuousEmissionMonitoringSystem(CEMS)dataandDecisionSupportSystem(DSS)byadministrativeagencies.TracingtheHazyAir2023:3ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)●Lackoftransparencyinsharingactionplanstatusreportsbycities,statesandministriesevenatthenationallevelthroughNCAPportalPRANAshowsalackofaccountabilityonthepartofconcernedauthoritiesandagencies.Basedonthecurrentreviewwerecommendthat:●AfutureroadmapforNCAPwillneedtoexpeditetheidentificationofairshedsinthecountrytoformulateandimplementairshed-basedairqualitymanagement.Thenationalambientairqualitystandardsrevisioncommitteeshouldalsodiscussthenotificationofvariedambientairqualitystandardsorguidelinesbasedonthebackgroundairqualitylevelsfordifferentairsheds.●ANationalEmissionsDatabasequantifyingtheemissionreductiontargetsatdistrict/stateandnationallevels,basedonemissionloadshouldbesetuptopropeltheachievementofNationalAmbientAirQualityStandards.●Inordertomakeasignificantimpactincombatingairpollution,newerpolicymeasuresshouldincludeintegratingthecensusdefinitionsandexistingadministrativeset-upforidentifyingnon-attainmentcitiesandimplementingagenciesforairqualitymanagement.Districtandstateairqualityplansmaybepreparedforcomprehensiveairqualitymanagementandupdatedwithnewinformationgatheredthroughthestudiesanddatacompilationwithefficientutilisationofestablishedsystemsandtools.●DatatransparencyintermsofintegrationofprogressacrosssectorsintotheNCAPportaliscrucialforpublicoutreach,accountability,andinformation.Publicaccesstonationalairqualitydatageneratedthroughsatellite,Industrialairqualitymonitoring,CEMS,low-costsensorsandmanualmonitorsshouldbeensured.●Failuretoabidebytimelinesforconductingvariousresearchstudies(i.e.,emissionInventory,source-apportionment,carryingcapacitystudiesandhealthbaselinesetc.)shouldbepenalised.Theseresearchstudiesareonlyhelpfulinsettingthebaselineifconductedwithinpropertimelines.TracingtheHazyAir2023:4ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)IntroductionIndiacelebratedits75thyearasanindependentcountryin2022andbecametheworld’sfifthlargesteconomy(TOI,2022).Whilethecountryismovingfastonitseconomicdevelopmentpathway,thehighfossilfuel-basedenergysystemoverthepastdecadeshasledtoincreasedairpollution,resultinginmillionsofdeaths,reducedyearsoflifeandeconomicdamage.(Pandeyetal.,2021).Ambientairqualitydatapublishedbythegovernmenthasconsistentlyreportedexceedanceofparticulatematter(PM10,PM2.5)concentrationsfromtheprescribedstandards..TheNationalCleanAirProgramme,launchedin2019amidstDelhiandseveralotherIndiancitiesconsistentlyrankingworstamongsttheworld’smostpollutedcities,aimedtoimproveairqualitythroughcoordinatedeffortsacrosssectors,stakeholdersandvariousstateandcentralgovernmentschemes.TheNCAPisthefirstpan-Indiapolicyaimingfora20-30%reductioninparticulatematterpollutionby2024comparedtolevelsin2017(MoEF&CC,2019).Theprogramfocusesoncitiesacross24statesandunionterritorieswhichhavebeenidentifiedasnon-attainmentcitiesbasedontheirambientairqualitydataduring2015-2019(NCAP-Tracker,2022)1.Atpresent,theCentreprovidestechnicalandfinancialsupportto131non-attainmentcitiesthroughtheProgramme.1Non-attainmentcitieswereidentifiedbytheCentralPollutionControlBoard(CPCB)basedonambientairqualitylevelsexceedingannualnationalambientairqualitystandards(NAAQS)forfiveconsecutiveyears.TracingtheHazyAir2023:5ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)NationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)GoalThegoaloftheNCAPistomeettheprescribedannualaverageambientairqualitystandardsatalllocationsinthecountryinastipulatedtimeframe(long-term).TargetTakingintoaccounttheavailableinternationalexperiencesandnationalstudies,thetentativenational-leveltargetof20%–30%reductionofPM2.5andPM10concentrationby2024isproposedundertheNCAP.Thisiskeeping2017asthebaseyearforthecomparisonofconcentration.Objective●Toensurestringentimplementationofmitigationmeasuresforprevention,controlandabatementofairpollution.●Toaugmentandevolveaneffectiveandproficientambientairqualitymonitoringnetworkacrossthecountryforensuringacomprehensiveandreliabledatabase.●Toaugmentpublicawarenessandcapacity-buildingmeasuresencompassingdatadisseminationandpublicoutreachprogrammesforinclusivepublicparticipationandforensuringtrainedmanpowerandinfrastructureonairpollution(MoEF&CC,2019)TheCPCBinitiallyidentified94non-attainmentcitieswhilecirculatingthedraftNCAPin2018.Thiswaslaterrevisedto102non-attainmentcities(NACs)inJanuary2019whilereleasingthefinalNCAP.Withincreasingpressurefromcitizens,civilsocietyandresearchersaswellastheavailabilityofmoredata,CPCBlaterrevisedthelistofnon-attainmentcitiestoinclude20morecitiesinAugust2019.In2020,twomorecitieswereaddedtothelistofnon-attainmentcities,makingitatotalof124non-attainmentcities.ThelatestadditiontothecitiescoveredunderNCAPwasmadein2021when8millionpluscitiesTracingtheHazyAir2023:6ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)wereaddedtothelisttakingthenumberto132.Thiswasreducedto131aftercombiningAsansolandRaniganj.Figure1:CoverageofcitiesunderNCAPbeforeandafter2019AdetailedassessmentreportbyGreenpeaceIndia(Chanchaletal,2021)fortheyear2018revealedthatNCAPleavesoutaround231citieswherethelevelofairpollutionexceedstheprescribedNAAQS.Furthermore,thisstillleavesoutthegeographieswhereairqualityisnotevenmonitored.Variousreportsandassessmentsputforwardbygovernmentagencies,researchersandcivilsocietyhavetriedtolookattheimplementationandeffectivenessoftheNCAPoverthepasttwoyears.Theavailableresearchclearlyindicatesthattheall-pervasiveproblemofairpollutionisn’tjustlimitedtocitiesandneedsincreasedeffortstowardsbuildingamulti-sectoralandregionalmechanismtotacklethiscriticalissue.TracingtheHazyAir2023:7ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)PurposeandScopeoftheReportThecurrentreportisacontinuationof‘TracingtheHazyAir:ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme’releasedbytheCentreforResearchonEnergyandCleanAirinJanuary2022(GhildiyalandDahiya,2022).ThereportattemptstoanalysetheimplementationandprogressoftheNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)towardsreducingairpollutionlevelssinceitslaunchinJanuary2019.Theassessmentwillhelppolicymakers,civilsocietyorganisations,researchersandcitizenstorealigntheactionsandprioritiesforefficientutilisationofresourcesandenergytowardscleaningtheair.ThisreviewoftheflagshipNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)takesstockoftheprogressmadeingovernanceandmanagementofambientairqualityinthecountrytillDecember2022.Thescopeofthestudyislimitedtotrackingtheindicatorsatthenationallevelcoordinatedorimplementedbynationalinstitutionswhileanin-depthanalysisoftheactionsbynon-attainmentcitiesandtheirrespectivestatesorunionterritoriesisnotincludedinthecurrentstudy.TracingtheHazyAir2023:8ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)MaterialsandMethodologyTotracktheimplementationoftheNCAPvariousprimaryandsecondarysourceswereconsidered.InformationwassourcedfromvariousgovernmentministriessuchasMoEFCC,MoPNG,CPCB,SPCBs,MoP,etc.ThedatawasalsoextractedfromthequestionsaskedatboththeHouses(LoksabhaandRajyasabha)oftheParliamentduringvarioussessions.Numerousreportsfromnon-governmentalorganisationsandarticlesfromvariousnewsagencieswerealsotakenintoaccountwhilecompilingthedata.Simultaneously,severalRTI’swerefiledtotherelevantministriesanddepartmentsofthegovernmenttocompiletheinformation.AllthedatawhichwasgatheredfromdifferentsourceswerethencompiledinanExcelsheetandonlyquantifiableparameterswereconsidered.TracingtheHazyAir2023:9ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)TrackingProgressInstitutionalStrengtheningTheNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)launchedinJanuary2019stipulatedtheformationofmajorcommitteesatthecentral,stateandcitylevelsforimplementationandmonitoringofNCAP.Althoughallsuchcommitteeshavebeenconstitutedatnationalandstatelevels,themandatedfivesectoralworkinggroupshavenotbeenconstitutedasofDecember2022.However,MoEF&CChasinitiatedcoordinationamongsevenministriesforthepreparationofsector-specificactionplanstoimproveairquality(PRANA,2022a).However,evenaftermorethantwoyearsofformulationofthesecommittees,thefunctioningisstillopaqueaspublicdisclosureregardingtheminutesofthemeetingsoractionstakenismissingfrompublicdatasharingplatformssuchasNCAPportalPRANAdevelopedbyCPCB.WhiletheApexCommittee,SteeringCommittee,MonitoringCommitteeandImplementationCommitteearesharingtheirminutesofmeetingsinthepublicdomainthroughtheNCAPportalPRANA,allothercommitteesatthecentre,stateandcitylevelslacksystematicandcomprehensivepublicdisclosureofinformationandactionstakenthroughoutthecountry.TheApexcommitteehasonlymetoncein2022sinceitsinception,theSteeringcommitteehasconvenedfivetimeswhereinannualfundsforactionsunderNCAPhavebeenapprovedandMonitoringCommitteeandImplementationCommitteehasmetnineand11timesrespectivelysince2019(PRANA,2022b).TracingtheHazyAir2023:10ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)Figure2:InstitutionalFrameworkunderNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)ApartfromthecommitteesattheCentrallevel:●Twenty-fourstatesandunionterritorieswithnon-attainmentcitieshavealsoformedSteeringandImplementationCommitteeforNCAP(MOEF&CC,2021)●TheCityImplementationcommitteesconstitutedforallnon-attainmentcitiesareheadedbyDistrictMagistratesorMunicipalCommissioners,whoareresponsibleforthegroundimplementationandreviewofactionsunderNCAP.●Atechnicaladvisorygroup,NationalKnowledgeNetworkhasbeenconstitutedbytheGovernmentandInstitutesofReputehavebeenidentifiedforlocaltechnicalcapacitybuilding(NKN,2022).TracingtheHazyAir2023:11ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)●AsperminutesoftheSteeringCommitteeofNCAP,mostoftheInstituteofRepute(IoRs)areengagedinairqualitymonitoring,dataanalysisandutilisation,training,airqualitymodelling,sourceapportionment,emissioninventoryandcapacitybuildingactivities(PRANA,2021).●However,minutesofmeetingsbyStateorcityLevelCommitteesandtechnicaloutputsintermsofreportsorrecommendationsmadebyIoRsorNationalKnowledgeNetwork(NKN)tothelocalorcentralgovernmentarenotavailableinthepublicdomain.NKNhasstartedputtingtogetheracompilationofresearchdonebygroupmembersonthewebportalforthenetwork.●AMemorandumofUnderstandinghasbeensignedbySPCBswithurbanlocalbodies(ULB)andIoRsforidentifyingandimplementingactionsimpactingairquality.SPCBsandULBshavealsosignedagreementswithMoEF&CCandCPCBfortheimplementationoftarget-basedcity-specificyear-wiseactionplans(PRANA,2022c).TrainingandCapacityBuildingThreeregionalworkshops(West,SouthandNorth)havebeenconductedbyMoEF&CCforcreatingawarenessaboutNCAPandsharingbestpracticesinthecountry(PRANA,2022d),(PIB,2022a).Inadditiontothis,“GuidelinesforCapacityBuildingandPublicOutreachunderNMCA/NCAP”hasbeenpublishedinJuly2022withafinancialoutlayofRs4.96croresforfiveyearstill2025-26(MOEF&CC,2022a).ThesefundsshallbeutilisedforcapacitybuildingbyULBs,environmentdepartmentsandMoEF&CC.WebinarshavealsobeenconductedbyNKN,UNEP,WorldBankandothersforimpartingairqualitymanagementknowledge.However,governmentagenciesstilllackadequatemanpowerforairpollutioncontrol.Accordingtoarecentreportbythink-tankiForest,theairqualitymanagementsectorrequiresatleast50,000newjobs,rangingfromresearchersandanalyststoairqualitysupervisorsinULBsandregulatorsinPollutionControlBoards(iFOREST,2022).TracingtheHazyAir2023:12ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)AirInformationCentresandTechnologyAssessmentCellAspertheNCAPdocument,aplanforsettingupofanAirInformationCentre(AIC)andTechnologyAssessmentCell(TAC)wastobecompletedby2019andregionalandcentralAICssetupwithsomeidentifiedinstitutesby2020.WhileAirQualityMonitoringCells(PRANA,2022c)havebeenformedineveryurbanlocalbodyof131Non-AttainmentCitiesforoverseeingtheimplementationofNCAPandStatePollutionControlBoardsandCommitteesandULBshavebeendirectedtoshareinformationrelatedtoairquality,specificAICshaven’tbeenset-upattheregionalorcentrallevel.TheCPCBhasalsoproposedformulationofacentralAICtotheMoEF&CC.Further,thetechnologyassessmentcellhasnotbeenformed.However,atechnologychallengetoidentifynewtechnologiesforairpollutionwasconductedbyCPCBin2022(CPCB,2022a).TACaswellasAICs,ifestablishedstrategically,canbemajorstakeholdersinidentifyingtherootcauseofpollutionthroughsystematicdataanalysisandfindingmitigationtechnologiesorstrategicinterventionsforemissionandpollutionreduction.However,actionstakeninthesehotspotstocontrolairpollutionhavenotbeensharedinthepublicdomain.CertificationSystemforMonitoringInstrumentsUndertheNCAP,theNationalPhysicalLaboratory(NPL)-IndiaCertificationScheme(NPL-ICS)wastobeoperatedatthecentralandregionallevelstocatertothecountry’sneedsforonlinemonitoringofairpollutionaswellastoevolveanactionplanestablishingacertificationagencyforairpollutionmitigationequipmentby2019.In2019,MOEF&CCdesignatedCSIR-NPLasthe"CertificationAgency"forAirPollutionMonitoringEquipmentandallocatedRs.5,660lakhstoNPLfortheestablishmentofatypetestingcalibrationandcertificationfacilityforonlinecontinuousEmissionMonitoringSystem(OCEMS)andContinuousAmbientAirQualityMonitoringSystem(CAAQMS)(CSIR-NPL,2021).WhileNPLhaslaunchedtheCSIRNPLIndiaCertificationSchemein2020(CSIR-TracingtheHazyAir2023:13ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)NPL,2022),theprogressofthisactivityisnotavailableinthepublicdomain(ISM-ENVIS,2019).AirQualityForecastingSystemTheSystemforAirQualityandWeatherForecastingandResearch(SAFAR)isbeingusedbytheCentreandDelhi-NationalCapitalRegion(NCR)toimplementpreventivemeasuresforaddressingairpollution.However,asenvisagedunderNCAP,thesemeasureshavenotbeenreplicatedin131NACs.AtpresentforecastsarebeinggeneratedforAhmedabad,Bengaluru,Delhi,Hyderabad,Kolkata,PuneandMumbai(IITM,2022).Hotspot-basedforecastinghadtobetakenupinNACsby2022.However,atpresent,citiesareintheprocessofidentifyinghotspotsbasedonairqualitydata.Outof131cities,49citieshaveidentifiedairpollutionhotspotsinthecity(PRANA,2022e).TracingtheHazyAir2023:14ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)Table1:KeyindicatorsandtheirprogressforInstitutionalStrengtheningatunderNationalCleanAirProgrammeS.No.Component/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimelineFunding(Year)ImplementationRemarks1AplanforsettingupairinformationCentreCentre/StateMoEF&CC,CPCB,2019ProposalofRs.150Lakhwassubmittedforfundingcentreswillbeformulated.SPCBsunderNCAPtoMoEF&CCbyCPCBbutnofundswereallocatedtillJuly2022(PRANA,2022c).TheCentralControlRoom(CCR)fordisseminationofAQIisoperational.2AirinformationcentresatthecentralandCentreCentre/StateMoEF&CC,CPCB,2020NoairinformationcentresformulatedatregionalorstateregionallevelswillbesetupinsomeofSPCBslevelsapartfromCCRforDelhi-NCR(CCR,2022a).theidentifiedinstitutes.3TooperationalizeNPL-IndiaCertificationCentreCentreMoEF&CC,CPCB2019CSIR-NPLisnotifiedastheresponsibleagencyforScheme(NPL-ICS)atthecentralandcertificationbuttheprogressofthisactivityisnotregionalleveltocatertothecountry’savailableinthepublicdomain(ISM-ENVIS,2019).needsinrespectofonlinemonitoringofairpollution.4ToevolveanactionplanfortheneedofCentreCentreMoEF&CC,CPCB2019Noinformationavailablecertificationagenciesforairpollutionmitigationequipmentinadditiontothemonitoringequipment.5AlltheongoingandfutureinitiativesCentreCentreMoES,CPCB2019TheAirPollutionforecastingandDecisionsupportsystemforairqualitymanagementforDelhiisdevelopedbyIITMunderSAFARwillbeintegratedwiththe(SAFAR)existsbutstilllacksfullintegrationwithNCAP(DSS,2022).NCAPfortakingallpreventivemeasurestodrawthebenefitsforaddressingtheairTracingtheHazyAir2023:15ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.No.Component/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimelineFunding(Year)ImplementationRemarkspollutionissuefromtheavailableinformation.6Theforecastingtobeextendedto102CentreCentreMoES,CPCB2022SAFARforecastingisonlyavailableforAhmedabad,Bengaluru,Delhi,Hyderabad,Kolkata,PuneandMumbai2.non-attainmentcitiesundertheNCAP.49citieshaveidentifiedairpollutionhotspots,othersstill7Hotspot-basedforecastingtobetakenupCentreCentreMoES,CPCB2022havetoidentifyhotspots.Noinformationwasavailableonmovingaheadfromcity-specifichotspot-basedforecasting.forecastingin102cities.ISROdevelopedtheweb-basedsystem3forsatellitedata8ThesatellitedataavailablethroughtheCentreCentreMoES,CPCB2022assessmentforAirPollutionbutitstilllacksintegrationsatellitenetworkofISROtobeintegratedwithNCAP.formonitoringandforecastingundertheNCAP.NationalKnowledgeNetwork4hasbeenconstitutedbytheGovernmentandInstitutesofReputehavebeenidentified9AdetailedactionplanforsettinguptheCentreCentreMoEF&CC,CPCB2019forlocaltechnicalcapacitybuilding.networktobeformulated.MoEF&CC,CPCB2020Noinformationavailable10Asystemofaregularweb-basedonlineCentreCentreinteractionmechanismwillbeevolvedtoensurecontinuityofinteractions.2https://ews.tropmet.res.in/mumbai/index.php3https://airquality.iirs.gov.in/4https://nkn.urbansciences.in/TracingtheHazyAir2023:16ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.No.Component/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimelineFunding(Year)ImplementationRemarks11AdetailedactionplanforatechnologyCentreCentreDST,MoEF&CC,2019Thetechnologyassessmentcellhasnotbeenformulated,assessmentcelltobeformulated.CPCBhoweveratechnologychallengetoidentifynewtechnologiesforairpollutionwasconductedbyCPCBin12AtechnologyassessmentcellwillbeCentreCentreDST,MoEF&CC,20192022.CPCBCentreNoinformationavailableCentrecreatedinvolvingtheIITs,IIMs,universities,industries,andusingtheexistingDSTmechanismsandprogrammes,IndiaInnovationHub,etc.13ApexcommitteeattheMoEF&CCCentreMoEF&CC2019Formulated,onlymetoncesince201914NationalLevelPMUattheMoEF&CCCentreMoEF&CC2019InformationontheengagementofcontractualmanpowerforNCAPworkatMoEF&CC,CPCBandSPCBsisavailable15FiveSectoralWorkingGroupsonaco-CentreCentreMoEF&CC,MoP,2019(PRANA,2021).However,informationonaPIUisnotchairingbasisMoRTH,MoHUA,available.MoA,DIPPCoordinationamongsevenministrieshasbeeninitiated16AMonitoringandForecastingWorkingCentreCentreMoEF&CC2019forthepreparationofsector-specificactionplanstoGroupCentreCentreimproveairquality,but,theWorkinggroupdoesn’texistMoEF&CC201917ATechnicalExpertCommitteeattheNoinformationMoEF&CCFormed,butnopublicinformationTracingtheHazyAir2023:17ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.No.Component/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimelineFunding(Year)ImplementationRemarks18Anational-levelProjectImplementationCentreCentreCPCB2019InformationontheengagementofcontractualmanpowerUnit(PIU)attheCPCBforNCAPworkatMoEF&CC,CPCBandSPCBsisavailable.2019However,informationonaPIUisnotavailable(PRANA,19AStateMonitoringCommitteeundertheStateStateDoE20192021).2019chiefsecretaryinthestatesStateSPCBFormedCityMunicipal20State-levelPMUattheSPCBStateCorporationFormedFormedandheadedbyeitherMunicipalCommissioneror21City-levelimplementation/reviewStateDistrictCollector(MOEF&CC,2021).CommitteeundertheDM/municipalcommissionerTracingtheHazyAir2023:18ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)KnowledgeandDatabaseAugmentationAmbientAirQualityMonitoringNetworkAirqualitymonitoringisessentialforunderstandingpollutanttrends,checkingforcompliancewithstandardsandtakingprecautionarymeasures.AirqualityinIndiaismonitoredbyCentralandStatePollutionControlBoardsandsomenationalinstitutionssuchastheIndianInstituteofMeteorologyandNationalEnvironmentalEngineeringResearchInstitute(NEERI)throughanetworkofmanualmonitoringstationsandcontinuousambientairqualitymonitoringstations(CAAQMS).AsofDecember2022,atotalof883manualstationswereinstalledunderNationalAirQualityMonitoringProgramme(NAMP)(CPCB,2022b).UnderNAMP,pollutantmonitoringisconductedtwiceaweek,withaminimumof104observationsperyear(CPCB,2013).Inadditiontomanualmonitors,about407CAAQMS(asofDecember22,2022)havebeeninstalledacrossthecountry(CCR,2022b).Figure1showsthelocationsofmanualstationsandCAAQMSinIndia.TheNCAPoutlinedtheexpansionoftheNAMPnetworkfrom703manualmonitoringstationsin2019to1,500stationsby2024,while180stations,i.e,45stationsperyearhavebeenaddedtothenetwork-abigtaskforincreasingthecoverageofmanualmonitoringnationallystillremains.IfNCAPistoachieveitssettargetof1,500stations,installationofmorethan300stationsperyearforthenexttwoyearswouldberequired.TheProgrammealsoenvisagedthatallNAMPstationswouldbeequippedwithPM2.5monitoringby2024,only360stationswithPM2.5monitoringwereaddedtoNAMPnetworktillFY22(PQ-MOEF&CC,2022a).Thisleavesmorethan500existingstationsthatneedtobeupgradedwithPM2.5monitoringoverthenexttwoyears.Andall617newstationstobeaddedshouldalsobeequippedwithPM2.5monitoring.TracingtheHazyAir2023:19ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)Figure3:LocationofambientairqualitymonitoringstationsinIndia:CAAQMSandNAMPWhilegroundbasedairqualitymonitoringwillhaveitslimitationsandwilltaketimetobestrengthened,usageofsatellitedatainadditiontogroundmonitoringwasproposedforairqualitymonitoringunderNCAP.WhileIndianSpaceResearchOrganisation(ISRO)developedtheweb-basedsystem5forsatellitedataassessmentforairpollution,itstilllacksintegrationwithNCAP.Alongwiththat,IIT-Delhiinitiatedathree-yearprojecttitled“Satellite-basedmonitoringofambientPM2.5atnationalscaleforairqualitymanagement”withfinancialsupportfromCPCBunderNCAPin2018-19(PRANA,2021).Throughthis5https://airquality.iirs.gov.in/TracingtheHazyAir2023:20ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)system,Satellite-basedApplicationforAirqualitymanagementattheNationalScale(SAANS)hasbeensetupasaninteractivewebportalandPM-2.5datafrom2000-2019hasbeencompiledattwodifferentspatialandtemporalscales.However,thesedatasetsarenotavailableinthepublicdomain.NeedforexpansionofPM2.5monitoringinthecountryAsatellitedata-basedPM2.5analysisfrom2017-2021highlightedthatoutof1,353citiesandtownsidentifiedfromtheCensus2011,theannualaverageofPM2.5levelswerewithinthenationalambientairqualitystandardsin581citiesandexceededin772citiesconsecutivelyforfiveyears.Atpresent,PM2.5isbeingmonitoredthrough407real-timemonitoringstations.ThenumberofmanualstationsequippedwithPM2.5monitoringis360stationsin171cities.Locationsofnewnon-attainmentcitiesbasedonPM2.5levelsexceedingNAAQScanbeseeninthefigure.ItisnecessarythatPM2.5levelsaremonitoredatmorelocationstoinitiatefineparticulatemattermanagementwhichisamajorconcern,especiallyintheIndo-GangeticPlainandwesternandcentralIndia.Citiesandtownswithmorethan1lakhpopulationIncludesNCAPcitiesThefollowingtabletracksthestatusof11actionsforaugmentingairqualitymonitoringinthecountryasoutlinedunderNCAP:TracingtheHazyAir2023:21ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)Table2:KeyindicatorsandtheirprogressforStrengtheningofAirQualityMonitoringNetworkunderNationalCleanAirProgrammeS.No.Component/ActivitiesLevelLevelForAgenciesTimelineRemarks1(Year)2forImplementation3Funding4Augmentthemanualmonitoring45stations/yearinstalledbetween2019-22totallingto883stationsstationsfromtheexisting703stationsto1,500stationsCentreCity/StateCPCB,SPCBs2024underNAMP.617stationstobeinstalledoverthenext2years(2023-CentreCity/State150CAAQMSwithanaverageof2–3City/State24).stationsineachcitytobeinstalled,prioritisingtheIndo-GangeticplainCity/StateNumberofCAAQMShasbeenstrengthenedto407tilldate.CPCB,SPCBs2024However,2-3stationsineachcityoftheIndo-Gangetic-Plainareyettobeinstalled.IITDelhiinitiatedathree-yearprojecttitled“Satellite-basedmonitoringofambientPM2.5atnationalscaleforairqualitymanagement”withfinancialsupportfromCPCBunderNCAPin2018-19(PRANA,2021).Undertheprogramme,Satellite-basedSatellite-basedmeasurements.CentreCPCB,SPCBs,2024ApplicationforAirqualitymanagementattheNationalScaleSAC,ISRO(SAANS)hasbeensetupasaninteractivewebportalandPM-2.5datafrom2000-2019hasbeencompiledattwodifferentspatialandtemporalscales.However,datasetsarenotavailableinthepublicdomain.ISROdevelopedtheweb-basedsystem6forsatellitedataassessmentforairpollutionbutitstilllacksintegrationwithNCAP.IdentificationofanalternativeTheSteeringCommitteeofNCAPconstitutedacommitteefortechnologyforreal-timemonitoringwithanimpetusonlow-costexaminationoftheefficacyofcapturingdatabymeansofaindigenousreal-timemonitoringstationsandpromotingreal-timeCentreCPCB,SPCBs2024satellite-basedimagerysystemandsensor-basedsystemandmonitoringinothercitieswiththeseacceptanceofsensor-baseddatain2021(PRANA-Minutes,2021).Inadditiontothis,internationalorganisationshavefacilitatedsensor-basedmonitoringofairqualityinmanyregionsincluding6https://airquality.iirs.gov.in/TracingtheHazyAir2023:22ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.No.Component/ActivitiesLevelLevelForAgenciesTimelineRemarks(Year)5low-costsensors.Withaverageof10forImplementationMaharashtra,Gujarat,Rajasthan,DelhiandKarnataka(PRANA,6sensorsineachcity,1,000sensorsare2022f).Theproposalon“EvaluationofLow-costSensors”byCSIR-7beingtargeted.FundingNPLisbeingexaminedbytheProjectAppraisalCommittee(PRANA,82022c).MobileairqualitymonitoringnetworkCentreCity/StateCPCB,SPCBs2024WhiletheMobileAirQualityVehicleshavebeenoperationalisedbytobemadepartofthesealternativeCPCB,DelhipollutioncontrolcommitteeandMaharashtrapollutiontechnologies.Atleastonemobilecontrolboard(CPCB,2008),(DDCD,2022),(ENVEA,2022),monitoringstationforeachcityistoinformationregardingotherstateswasn’tavailable.beconsidered.AsofDecember2022,27ruralairqualitymonitoringstationswereSetup100monitoringstationsintheCentreCity/StateCPCB,SPCBs2024installedinPunjab,Daman&DiuandDadra&NagarHaveli.17newruralareasMonitoringstationsinruralareasintheStatesofHimachalPradesh(5),Kerala(2),Mizoram(5),Odisha(2),Tripura(1),andUttarReviewtheexistingguidelinesandCentreCity/StateCPCB,SPCBs2024Pradesh(2)havebeensanctionedduring2021-22((PQ-MOEF&CC,issueaprotocolforthesettingupofCity/StateCPCB,SPCBs20242022a).A2020low-costsensor-basedstudyinasampleofvillagesmonitoringstationsandmonitoringandsmalltownsinNorthIndiafoundthatPM2.5concentrationswereoftensimilartoorhigherthanthenearestlargecity(SinghetAugmentthenumberofmonitoringCentreal.,2020).stationsforPM2.5fromtheexisting167AsperPRANA,theWorldBankisdevelopingawhitepaperforacross80citiestoallstationsunderMoEF&CConstrengtheningairpollutionmeasurement(PRANA,NAMP2022g).Only193stationswithPM2.5monitoringwereaddedtotheNAMPnetworkbetweenFY2019-22(PQ-MOEF&CC,2022a).523existingstationsaretobeupgradedwithPM2.5monitoringduringthenexttwoyearsandall617newstationstobeaddedshouldalsobeequippedwithPM2.5monitoring.TracingtheHazyAir2023:23ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.No.Component/ActivitiesLevelLevelForAgenciesTimelineRemarks(Year)9forImplementationInformationregardinganationalplanforSuperCityNetworkisnot10availableinthepublicdomain.However,effortstoconductreal-11FundingtimesourceapportionmentinDelhiwassupportedbyCPCBthroughEnvironmentProtectionChargesFundandDelhiSet-up10citySuperNetworktoCentreCity/StateCPCB,SPCBs,2021GovernmentisbeingundertakenbyIITKanpurwhichaimstogeneratehighly-qualitycontrolledMoEF&CCestablishasupersiteinDelhitomonitorreal-timeairqualityanddataandrepresentnationalairqualitymakeforecasts.(PAAC-EPC,2018),(DDCD,2022).dynamics.NoInformationTheplanfor10citySuperNetworkstoCentreCentreCPCB,2019NoInformationbeformulated.CentreCentreMoEF&CCSupersitesasrepresentativesitesincitiesandruralareasCPCB,2019MoEF&CCTable3:KeyindicatorsandtheirprogressforQuantificationofEmissionsandImpactAssessmentActionsunderNationalCleanAirProgrammeS.No.Component/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForTimelineFundingImplementationAgencies(Year)RemarksUnifiedguidelinesforsourceCentreCentreCPCB,Unifiedguidelinesforsourceapportionmentstudyhavebeen1apportionmentstudywillbeformulatedMoEF&CC2019updatedbyCPCB(PRANA,2018).andupdated.SourceapportionmentstudiestobeCentreCities/StateMoEF&CC,2020AsperPRANA,SourceApportionment(SA)studieshavebeen2extendedtoall102non-attainmentcompletedin37outof131citiesandareunderprocessin54CPCBcities.TracingtheHazyAir2023:24ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.No.Component/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimelineRemarksFundingImplementation(Year)NACs.31%ofthe131NACsareyettoinitiatecity-levelSAstudies(PRANA,2022c).AcomprehensivenationalemissionsCentreCentreMoEF&CC,2020Whilecity-levelemissioninventorieshavebeencompletedby373inventory,whichisstilllackingintheCPCBoutof131citiesandnationalemissioninventoryisbeingupdatedbyMoEF&CCincollaborationwithTERI,acentralisedcountrywillbeformalizedunderthesystemforreportingemissionsacrosssectorsismissinginNCAP.India’sairqualitymanagementpolicy(PRANA,2021).ThegovernmenthadalsostipulatedtheestablishmentofarobustemissioninventoryandtrackingsystemandthedevelopmentofanIT-basedemissioninventorysystemascriteriaforperformanceassessmentofmillion-plusUrbanAgglomerationsfundedunderrecommendationsofthe15thFinanceCommission(CPCB,2022c).Howeveradequatesystemscouldnotbetracedbacktotheurbanlocalbodywebsites.GuidelineswithrespecttotheCentreCentreCPCB,2020RevisionofNAAQShasbeenawardedbyCPCBtoajointteam4periodicityofreviewsofambientairledbyIITKanpurinDecember2021.However,nosuchMoEF&CCguidelinesareavailableinthepublicdomaintilldate(PRANA,qualityandemissionstandardstobe2022c).formulated.5StudyonthenationalenvironmentalCentreCentreMoEF&CC2019AsperMoEF&CC,NationalEnvironmentalHealthProfileshallbehealthprofiletobecompletedintime.carriedoutin20citiesbyProjectManagementUnitatAIIMS,NewDelhi.TheprojecthasbeenextendedtillMarch2024(MOEF&CC,2022b).TracingtheHazyAir2023:25ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.No.Component/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimelineRemarksFundingImplementation(Year)6ResponsestudyandcohortstudyCentreCentreMoH&FW2019Noinformationavailableprogramtobeundertaken.MinistryofHealthtoactivelytakeupCentreCentreICMRincollaborationwiththePublicHealthFoundationofIndia7environmentalhealthforensuringa(PHFI)&InstituteofHealthMetricsandEvaluation(IHME)conductedastudytitled“Theimpactofairpollutionondeaths,regularhealthprofileordatabaseforMoH&FW2019diseaseburdenandlifeexpectancyacrossthestatesofIndia''.assistingdecisionmaking.Asperthisstudyin2019,1.7millionDeaths(18%ofthetotaldeaths)and11.5%ofthetotalDALYs(Disability-AdjustedLifeYear)inIndiawereattributabletoairpollutionPandeyetal.,2021).Frameworkforamonthlyanalysisofdatawrthealthtobecreated.Thedatafrommappingoftheindustry;tabulationofadailyAQI,PM2.5andPM10measurements(24hoursaverage);Frameworkdoesnotexist.However,dailyAirQualityIndexbulletinsarebeingpublishedformorethan180citiesandtownsmeteorologicalparameters;deathsdueMoH&FW2024(CPCB,2023).8toheartattack,strokes,respiratoryCentreCentrearrestfollowingtheexistingrespiratoryailments,trendsinlungcancerifavailablewrtallcitiestobefedintoacentralcomputerandtobeanalysedeverymonthbypeopletrainedinenvironmentalhealthforcorrectinterpretation.TracingtheHazyAir2023:26ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.No.Component/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimelineRemarksFundingImplementation(Year)AwarenessandorientationworkshopsshallMoHFWhaslaunchedtheNationalProgramonClimateChangeandHumanHealth(NCDC,2022)atNationalCentreforDiseasefocusonatargetaudienceandthemediaisControl(NCDC)tocreateawareness,capacitybuilding,healthsectorpreparednessandresponseandpartnershipsrelatedtobeusedforawidedisseminationofMoH&FW,activitiesontheclimate-sensitivehealthissuesinthecountryMoEF&CC,2024since2019.NowtheProgrammehasexpandedinallthe9information.However,thepreciseCentreCentreState/UTsandactivitiesareconductedintheformoftrainingonCPCBClimateSensitiveDiseases,SurveillanceonAcuteRespiratoryinformationtobesharedhastobecarefullyIllnessesandHeat-relatedIllnesses,generation&disseminationofIEConAirPollution&Heatanditshealthimpactsonhealth.workedoutbyateamofexpertsinairpollutionandenvironmentalhealth.10StudiesonhealthandeconomicimpactofCentreCentreMoH&FW,ICMRfundedastudytitled“Healthandeconomicimpactofairairpollutiontobesupported.MoEF&CC,2024pollutioninthestatesofIndia:theGlobalBurdenofDiseaseStudy2019”.Thestudyestimatedthat17.8%oftotaldeathsinCPCBIndiain2019wereattributedtoairpollutionwhichresultedinUS$28.8billionandUS$8.0billionlossduetodeathsandmorbidityrespectively.Thetotallossof36.8billionUS$wasequivalentto1.36%ofIndia’sgrossGDP(Pandeyetal.,2021)MediaistobeusedforwidedisseminationHealthadvisoryonAirPollutionhasbeenpublishedundertheMoH&FW2024NPCCHHinSeptember2022.DailyAQIvaluesarebeingofinformationandthepreciseinformationdisseminatedthroughCPCB,andSPCBwebsitesaswellas11tobesharedhastobecarefullyworkedCentreCentrethroughthesocialmediaplatformsofNPCCHH(MOHFW,2022).outbyateamofexpertsinairpollutionandenvironmentalhealth.TracingtheHazyAir2023:27ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)FinancialSupportforImplementationofNCAPSincethenotificationoftheNationalCleanAirProgramme(tillDecember2022),atotalofRs652.61croreshavebeenreleasedascriticalgapfunding,outofwhichonlyRs301.69croreswereutilised,showinglessthan50%utilisation.ApartfromfundsreleasedunderNCAP,atotalofRs6,435croreswerealsoallocatedunderXVFCforthefinancialyear20-21and21-22.However,onlyRs1,629.82crores(~25%)wereutilisedtillDecember2022(CPCB,2022c).City-wisedetailsareprovidedinAppendix.MitigationActionsMitigationmeasuresunderNCAPoutlineactionstobetakenupbydifferentstakeholdersforsevenemissionsectors.Airqualitymanagementatvariousgeographicallevelsisalsoplannedunderthiscategory.Althoughsectoralachievementshavebeenreportedbythegovernment,ithasnottranslatedintoreal-timeresultsinairqualityimprovementinallearmarkedareas.Further,thelackofcityandstate-wisequantificationofactualphysicalprogressmakesitdifficulttoassesstheoverallsuccessoftheprogram.Inordertoexpeditesector-specificplanningandmanagementofemissions,theMoEF&CChasidentifiedsevenotherpartnerministriesfortheformulationofsectoralplans.Whileallthesevenidentifiedministrieshaveputforwardtheiractionsforairqualityimprovement,city-specifictargetshavebeenmentionedbyonlytheUnionMinistryofRoadTransportandHighwaysandtheMinistryofHeavyIndustries.AllstakeholdersneedtoformulatepoliciesandlegislationsseekingeffectiveimplementationofairqualityimprovementactionsinordertoactualizethesettargetsasperNCAP.However,sectoraltargetsinlinewithairqualitygoalsarefeasibleonlythroughtrackingofemissions.AnEmissionDatabaseaccountingforallsectorsistheneedofthehourformeasuringanddevelopingnewstrategiestocombatairpollution.ThepresentstudyliststheinterventionsreportedbythegovernmentatthenationalorstateleveltillDecember2022.Non-Attainmentcity-wiseimplementationstatusofanyactionifavailablehasbeenhighlightedinthefollowingtable.TracingtheHazyAir2023:28ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)Table4:KeyindicatorsandtheirprogressforSectoralInterventionsunderNationalCleanAirProgrammeS.NoComponent/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimeline(Year)RemarksFundingImplementationDustIntroducingmechanicalMoHUA,AsperMoHUA32NACsof5stateshaveMunicipalapprovedaplanforprocurementof2001ManagementsweepersonthebasisofStateStateCorporationOngoingmechanicalroadsweepers(PRANA,2022c).(RoadDustAndfeasibilitystudyincities;CentreC&D)IncompliancewiththeHon’bleNGTorderinthematterofOANo.206of2022,appropriateBuildingspecificGuidelinesstandardsforindoorairqualityareunderpreparationbyajointcommitteeofmembersandProtocolsonmonitoringfromCentralPollutionControlBoard,MinistryofEnvironment,ForestsandClimateChange,andmanagementofindoorairMinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfareandMinistryofHousingandUrbanAffairsandExpertpollution.GuidelinesandmembersfromBIS,CSIR,ICMR,IPCAandIITDelhiconstitutedduring2022(NGT,2022).provisionsforbuildingMoEF&CC,.2designsthatdefineproperCentreCPCB,MoH2019Rs.4,965croreshasbeenallocatedunderDirectBenefitTransferforLPG(DBTL)andPradhanIndoorAirventilation,cleancookingandMantriUjjwalaYojana(PMUY)subsidy(PQ-PollutionlivingareatomaintainhealthyMOP&NG,2022a).ManagementairqualityinsidethehousetobeintegratedwithPradhanMantriAwasYojana(PMAY)ExtendPMUYinnon-3attainmentcities/townsandMoEF&CC,CPCB2020associatedvillageareas.TracingtheHazyAir2023:29ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.NoComponent/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimeline(Year)RemarksFundingImplementationGovernmenthasissuedrevisednotificationinStringentcompliancebyall2022whichallowspowerplantsunderTPPswithrespecttotheemissionnormsStateStateMoP,MoEF&CC2022CategoriesA,B,andCtocomplywiththenewnormsbyDecember2024,2025,and2026respectively(MOEF&CC-Notification,2022).ExpansionoftheCGDnetworktocover98%populationand88%ofgeographicalareasis4CGDnetworkdistributionStateCity/StateMoPNG2019targetedbythegovernment.AsonJune30,PowerSector2022,CGDInfrastructureisoperationalin93EmissionsNACs(PRANA,2022c),(PQ-MOP&NG,2022b).About20coal-basedpowerplantsunits(1725MW)within7non-attainmentcities/districtsPhasingoutoldercoal-basedhavebeenretiredsinceNCAPlaunch.However,powerplantsandconverting22oldunitswith43MWcapacity(≥40yearsas5specificcoal-basedpowerStateCity/StateMoP,MoPNG2024on31.12.2025)locatedinNCAPregionsareyetplantstonaturalgastobephasedout(CEA,2022).TracingtheHazyAir2023:30ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.NoComponent/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimeline(Year)RemarksFundingImplementationEmphasisonimprovedpowerMoP,D/oTheMinistryofPowernotifiedElectricity(RightsEnergy,ofConsumers)AmendmentRules,2022to6reliabilityinurbanareastoStateCity/StateDISCOMs2024ensureuninterruptedpowersupplybyDISCOMsCity/State2024andshifttorenewableenergywithbatteryeliminatetheoperationofDGMoP,MNRE,2022storage(MOP,2022a).StateMoEF&CCsets.Ason30thNovember2022,totalrenewableD/oHeavyenergyinstalledinthecountryis166.36GWExpansionofrenewable(RE)Industry,whichincludes61.97GWSolarPower,41.89GWWindPower,10.73GWBio-Power,4.92GWSmallpowerinitiativesprioritisingSPCBsHydroPowerand46.85GWLargeHydroPower(PQ-MNRE,2022).7theuseofexistingframeworkCentreMoPhasspecifiedupto43.33%RPOtrajectorytill2029-30(MOP,2022b).ofNAPCCinnon-attainmentMNREandMoPhavebeenidentifiedaspartnerministriesbyMoEF&CC,however,anactionplancitiesforREexpansionunderNCAPisnotavailable.8IndustrialIntroductionofgaseousfuelsStateAsperMoPNG,93NACshave6765IndustrialandEmissioninindustriesincludingSMEs.25,918CommercialPNGConnections(PRANA,2022c).TracingtheHazyAir2023:31ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.NoComponent/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimeline(Year)Remarks9FundingImplementation10EnforcementofnewandstringentStateStateSPCB,CPCBImmediatelyOnly6ofthe17highlypollutingindustriesStateSPCBs,CPCBimmediatelyemissionstandardswereamendedinthelastsixSO2/NOx/PM2.5standardsforyears(GhildiyalandDahiya,2022).industriesusingsolidfuelsMoEF&CCnotifiedthatallnewbrickkilnsshallFullenforcementofzig-zagStatebeallowedonlywithzig-zagtechnologyorbricktechnologyinbrickkilnsverticalshaftoruseofPipedNaturalGasasfuelinbrickmakingandshallcomplywiththestackemissionlimitof250mg/Nm3forParticulateMatter.Existingkilnsshallbeconvertedtozig-zagtechnologyorverticalshaftorusePipedNaturalGasasfuelbyFebruary22,2023,incaseofkilnslocatedwithin10kmsradiusofnon-attainmentcitiesandbyFebruary22,2024,forotherareas.Implementationstatusisnotavailable(MOP,2022b).TracingtheHazyAir2023:32ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.NoComponent/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimeline(Year)RemarksFundingImplementationForDGSetsalreadyoperational,ensureusageofeitherofthetwooptions:(i)UseofretrofittedemissioncontrolequipmenthavingaminimumspecifiedPMMoEF&CCnotifiedemissionlimitsfornew11capturingefficiencyofatleastStateCity/StateSPCB,CPCB2022enginesupto800kWusedforGensetin202270%,typeapprovedbyoneofwhichshallbeeffectivefrom1stJuly2023the5CPCBrecognizedlabs.(MOEF&CC,2022c).(ii)Shiftingtogas-basedgeneratorsbyemployingnewgas-basedgeneratorsorretrofittingexistingDGsetsforpartialgas-usage.TransportStringentimplementationofStateCity/StateMoRTH,D/o2020NationwideintroductionofBS-VIvehiclesand12SectorBSVInormsalloverIndiabyTransport,April2020.fuelwasadoptedfrom2020.EmissionSPCBTracingtheHazyAir2023:33ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.NoComponent/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimeline(Year)Remarks13FundingImplementation14QuantityofethanolreceivedbyPSUOMCshas1516Stringentimplementationofincreasedto385.92CroreLitresin2021-22(tillNationalBiofuelPolicywithrespecttoethanolandNov30)from173.03CroreLitresin2019-20.Forbiodieselblendingtargetof20%and5%,respectivelybyMoP,MNRE,theEthanolSupplyYear(ESY)2021-22,Oil2030.MoACentreState2030MarketingCompanies(OMCs)achieved10.16%blendingason10thJuly,2022andthetargetundertheNationalBiofuelPolicyof20%blendingofethanolinpetrolhasbeenadvancedtoESY2025-26from2030(PQ-MOP&NG,2022c).Metrorailfacilityiseitheroperationalorunderconstructionin21citiesNACSasonJuly2022.CityActionplanstoreviewtheMoRTH,D/oMoHUAhasinformedthatasonDecember2022,extensionofMassRapidTransport,Transit(MRT)incities/towns.CentreCity/State2024810kmofthemetronetworkisoperationalin20CPCBcitieswithadailyridershipof85lakhpassengersand980kmofthemetronetworkisunderconstructionindifferentCities(The-Hindu,2022).NationalGreenHydrogenMissionhasproposedthedevelopmentof5MMTgreenhydrogenScalingupofR&DonuseofCentreCity/StateMoPNG&2022productioncapacityperannumwithanHydrogenastransportfuelMNREassociatedrenewableenergycapacityadditionofabout125GWinthecountry(PIB,2023).FormulationofNational,StateMoP,DHI,UnderNEMMP2020,MoHIformulatedaSchemeandCityspecificactionplanfore-mobilityCentreCity/StateNITIAayog,2021namelyFasterAdoptionandManufacturingofMoEF&CC(Hybrid&)ElectricVehicles(FAME).TracingtheHazyAir2023:34ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.NoComponent/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimeline(Year)RemarksFundingImplementationCity/State14StatesandUTshavepreparedStateEVpolicyCity/StateasperBEE(BEE,2023).StatesIn2022,revisedconsolidatedGuidelines&RapidaugmentationofStandardsforchargingInfrastructureforElectric17charginginfrastructureintheCentreMoP,DHI2024Vehicles(EV)werelaunched.AspertheactionMoP,DHIcountryfocusingon102citiesplanunderNCAPofMoHI,2877chargingMoEF&CC,CPCBstationshavebeensanctionedunderFAMEIIto68citiesincluding36NACS.NoinformationontheconversionofinternalGovernment-runbusesforcombustionenginebusestoelectricbusesis18publictransport,privateCentre2024available.However,aspertheactionplanunderbusesand3-wheelerstobeNCAPofMoHI,6315buseshavebeensanctionedconvertedtoEVunderFAMEIIto74citiesandoutofthese42areNACs.CentralSectorScheme,‘PromotionofAgriculturalMechanizationforin-situmanagementofCropResidueintheStatesofEvaluatethestatusofPunjab,Haryana,UttarPradeshandNCTofimplementationoftheMoAfundedschemeinthestatesDelhi’wasannouncedin2018underwhichRs.andimpactonreductionofair19AgriculturalpollutioninDelhiandNCR.Centre20243,318.17croreshasbeenreleasedtill2022-23forEmissionCustomHiringCentresandCropResidueManagementMachines(PIB,2022b).Afungi-basedbio-decomposerwasdevelopedandpilotedbytheIndianCouncilofAgriculturalResearchfortherapiddecompositionofpaddystraw.TracingtheHazyAir2023:35ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.NoComponent/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimeline(Year)RemarksFundingImplementationEvaluatethesocio-economicfeasibilityforimplementationofex-situoptionslikeAsonOctober31,2022,38CBG/biogasplantsproductionofPrali-Char,MoA,withinstalledcapacityofaround225MTperMoEF&CC,20biochar,pellets,briquettes,annumhavebeencommissionedunderSATAT.bioCNG,bioethanoletc.asex-CentreStateCPCB2020situsolutionsforHowever,socio-economicfeasibilitystudymanagementofcropresiduereportsarenotavailable(PIB,2022c).burningespeciallywithNPBinplace.TheConsortiumforResearchonAgroecosystemCoordinationwithISROforMonitoringandModelingfromSpace(CREAMS),21regularavailabilityofRemoteCentreCentreMoEF&CC,2019aninitiativeoftheIndianAgriculturalResearchCPCBSensingMonitoringdataforInstitutefundedundertheNICRAprojectcropburningbythefarmers.providescropresidueburningevents(CREAMS,2022).FormulateplanforuseofAsperthelastSteeringCommitteeminutes,50SmartCitiesframeworktoMoHUA,NACshaveestablishedtheIntegratedCommandMoEF&CC22launchNCAPinthe43smartCentreCity/State2019ControlCenters(ICCC),outofwhich17ICCCsCentrecitiesfallinginthelistof102areconnectedwithambientairqualitymonitorsWastenon-attainmentcities.(PRANA,2022c).ManagementConstructionofdecentralized51citiesapprovedremediationof757lakhcompostingplant,bioMoHUA,metrictonnesoflegacywaste.23methanationplantandC&DCity/StateMunicipal2020Only19NACSof4StatesapprovedthesettingCorporationwasteplants.upof1300TPDC&DwasteprocessingfacilitiesasofJune2022(PRANA,2022c).TracingtheHazyAir2023:36ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.NoComponent/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimeline(Year)Remarks24FundingImplementationSwachhBharatMissionandCentreCity/StateMoHUA,ImmediatelyUnderSwacchBharatMission5NACsreceived5NationalMissiononMoEF&CCStarRatingforGarbageFreeCity,25NACSSustainableHabitattobereceived3StarRatingforGarbageFreeCityandusedasaplatformtopushthe10citiesreceived1StarRatingforGarbageFreeobjectivesunderthissector.City(PRANA,2022c).Table5:KeyindicatorsandtheirprogressforAirQualityManagementPlanningunderNationalCleanAirProgrammeS.NoComponent/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimeline(Year)RemarksFundingImplementationAcomprehensiveCentreTheCommissionforAirQualityManagement(CAQM)announcedthePolicytoCurbAirregionalplantoPollutionintheNationalCapitalRegionin2022(CAQM,2022).Thisplanlistsactionsbeformulatedunderthreetimelinesi.e.,upto1year,1-3yearsand3-5years.Further,asper1RegionalAndincorporatingtheCentre/StateMoEF&CC,CPCB2020informationavailablefromPRANA,theWorldBankisassistingIndiainsettingupaTransboundaryinputsfromtheregionalairqualitymanagementmodel/planningtoolforthedenselyPlanregionalsourcepopulatedIndo-Gangetic-Plain(PRANA,2022g).apportionmentstudies.Asapartoftransboundaryairquality2AirqualitymanagementCentreMoEF&CC2019management,IndiaispartoftheMaléattheSouth-AsianTracingtheHazyAir2023:37ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.NoComponent/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimeline(Year)RemarksFundingImplementationregionallevelbyCentreDeclarationwhichisbeingrevivedin2022toactivatingtheinitiativesCentrerestartimplementationalongwithraisingunder‘MaleDeclarationCentrethenecessaryfundsandconnectingtootheronControlandStateinitiativesfosteringregionalcooperationinPreventionofAirAsia(SEI,2022).AcomprehensivePollutionanditsLikelyTransboundaryPlanisyettobeformulatedTransboundaryEffectsunderNCAP.forSouthAsia’andSACEPtobeexploredApreliminarystateSofar10outof24StatesandUnionactionplanforairpollutiontobeTerritorieswithNACshavepreparedStateformulatedforallthe23states,whichActionsPlansonairqualitymanagement.harbor102non-3attainmentcities.StateSPCB,CPCB,2020PublicavailabilityofstatecleanairactionCentreMoEF&CCStateActionplanswasmissingtillDecember2022andPlanForAirPollutionthestatusofimplementationoftheactionsidentifiedwasalsomissing(PRANA,2022h)..TheguidelinesfortheMoEF&CCpreparedanindicativetemplate4preparationofthestateMoEF&CC,CPCB2019forpreparationoftheStateActionPlanactionplantobe(MOEF&CC,2021).formulated.CitySpecificAirPreliminaryCity-specificAtpresentthereare131Non-Attainment5QualityactionplanstobeCity/StateCPCB,2019CitiesandcityactionplanshavebeenMoEF&CCManagementformulatedfor102non-preparedforall131cities(PRANA,2022h).PlanFor102attainmentcities.Non-City-specificactionplansD/oEnvironment,AQMCellattheULBlevelandStateLevel6AttainmenttobetakenupforimplementationbytheCity/StateSPCB2020Steering,MonitoringandCityCitiesImplementationCommitteeshavebeenTracingtheHazyAir2023:38ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)S.NoComponent/ActivitiesLevelforLevelForAgenciesTimeline(Year)Remarks7FundingImplementationStateGovernmentandcityadministration.Centreconstitutedtooverseetheimplementationofcityactionplansin131NACs(PRANA,CitybasedcleanairCentre2022c).actionplansaretobedynamicandevolveSourceApportionmentstudiesarebeingbasedonavailablescientificevidenceCity/StateCPCB,2020carriedoutin37outof131NACs.However,includingtheMoEF&CCinformationavailableupdatedcityactionplansarenotavailablethroughsourceapportionmentstudies.foranyofthoseNACs.AseparateemergencyactionplaninlinewithGRAPhasbeenpreparedby120outof131GRAPforDelhitobeformulatedforeachcityCPCB,cities,however,acopyofGRAPisonlyforaddressingtheMoEF&CCSevereandEmergencyCity/State2020availablefor48cities(CPCB,2022c)andAQI.actionsonitsimplementationareveryopaqueinabsenceofpublicinformation.TracingtheHazyAir2023:39ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)Table6:ThreetiermechanismsforReviewOfMonitoring,AssessmentAndInspectionandtechnologySupportunderNationalCleanAirProgrammeS.NoComponent/ActivitiesLevelforImplementationAgenciesTimeline(Year)RemarksFundingLevelStringentOnlineContinuousEmissionMonitoringSystemCentreCentre/StateEnforcementWebbasedsystemto(OCEMS)hastobeinstalledattheindividualCities/StateThroughThreebeevolvedinindustrialunitsfor17highlypollutingCentre1TierMechanismaasnsdoocitahteiornrewleivthanNtICMoEF&CC,CPCB,categoriesofindustries.CorrectivemeasuresForReviewOfSPCBs2020aretakenbasedonreal-timedataincaseofMonitoring,nationalandviolationofprescribednormsobservedbyCPCBAssessmentAndinternationalandSPCB.However,noinformationonathree-Inspectionagencies.tierweb-basedsysteminassociationwithNICisavailable(PQ-MOEF&CC,2022b).ControlofDustEmissionsusingdustCleantechnologiessuppressantwascarriedoutinDelhiandwithpotentialforairpollutionmitigationadvisoryhasbeenissuedtoSPCBsandroadwillbesupportedforR&D,pilot-scaleowningagenciestousedustsuppressantsindemonstration,andfield-scaleCentreMoEF&CC,CPCB2019DelhiNCR.implementationApilotstudyfortheassessmentofreducingairpollutioninurbanareasbyusinganoutdoor2TechnologycleaningsystemisbeingcarriedoutattwoSupportlocationsinDelhibyCPCBandDPCC(PAAC-EPC,2020).ProjectAppraisalCommitteeforappraisingThemechanismforindividualprojectproposalsofthecentrallysuchsupportwillbeformulatedasanCentreMoEF&CC,CPCB2024sponsoredscheme“ControlofPollution”intheactionplan.MoEF&CChasbeenconstituted.However,informationonprojectssanctionedbythecommitteeisnotavailable(PIB,2022d).TracingtheHazyAir2023:40ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)AdministrativeStructureforAirQualityManagementAirshed-basedplanningthroughcollaborativemanagementofemissionsacrossvariousadministrativestructureshasbeenoneofthebestscientificapproachestoimprovingairquality.Ashifttowardsairshed-basedairqualitymanagementhasbeenenumeratedintheNationalCleanAirProgramme.TheWorldBankisalsosupportingIndiatoidentifyairshedsinthecountryandworkingondevelopingairshedairqualitymanagementplansfortheIndo-Gangetic-Plainsregion,whichneedstobereplicatedforotherregions.However,itisalsonecessarytoutilisetheexistingadministrativegovernancestructuresforbetterairqualitymanagement.ThecurrentstructureofairqualityplanningwhichisrestrictedtocityadministrativeboundarieshasledtoexclusionofmanylargepointsourceswithintheStatesandUnionTerritories.Further,therearenon-attainmentareaswhichfallunderthesameSubDivisionandhenceimplementingandreportingactionstoresolveairqualityissuesinsuchareasmayleadtoduplicity.Forexample,thelistof132non-attainmentcitieshasbeenreducedto131citiesduetothemergingofAsansolandRaniganjofWestBengal.However,similarissuesincitieslikeHyderabadUAwhichalsohavePatancheruasapartofthesameUrbanAgglomerationhavenotbeenaddressed.Thedisbursaloffinancialsupportunderthe15thFinanceCommissionisbasedonUrbanAgglomerationswithhighpopulations,whereasthereleaseoffundsunderNCAPisfornon-attainmentcitiesexceedingambientairqualitystandards.Hence,integrationofthecensusdefinitionstoidentifynon-attainmentareasneedstobedeveloped.ThiswillestablishclearresponsibilitiesofnodalimplementationagenciesattheState,districtandurbanlocalbodylevels.Thecurrentstructurealsoutilisesurbanlocalbodiesasthelastpointofrepresentationbystategovernments.Howevernon-attainmentcitiessuchasByrnihat(PM10levelsof181µg/m³in2021-22),avillageinRibhoidistrictattheAssamandMeghalayaborder,donotTracingtheHazyAir2023:41ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)comeunderthejurisdictionofanUrbanLocalBodyandmusthaverepresentationfromUmlingCommunity&RuralDevelopmentBlock.Inadditiontotheabove-statedissues,itisalsotobenotedthatimportantdatabaseswhichwillbeusedforemissioninventorybuild-uparecompiledatdistrictlevelsratherthancitylevel,i.e.,petroleumproductconsumptionandwithmostindustrialfossilfuelconsumptiontakingplacebeyondmunicipalboundariesofthecities.Itisverycriticaltolookattherecalibrationofadministrativestructurestomakethemcomprehensiveatlocalunitsaswellastointegrateregionalplansacrossstatesforbetterairpollutionregulation.FurtherdatasetssuchastheCensuswhichinfluenceotherdatasetsandpolicymakingalsoneedtobeupdatedfordefiningthechangesintransitionalareaswhichincreasewithincreasingeconomicdevelopment(ORF,2020).TracingtheHazyAir2023:42ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)AirQuality(PM10)inNon-AttainmentCitiesunderNCAPAirQualityImprovementTargetsunderNCAPNCAPenvisagedreducingPM-10andPM2.5concentrationsby20-30%by2024ascomparedtolevelsin2017.However,in2022,city-wisetargetsforreductioninPM10concentrationsfrom2021-22to2025-26havebeendefinedbytheGovernmentfordisbursaloffundsunderNCAPandthe15thFinanceCommission(MOF,2021),(MOEF&CC(CP),2022).Apopulation-basedtargetofa20-45%reductioninPM10levelshasbeensetfor2025-26for82non-attainmentcitiescomparedtorevisedbaselinelevelsof2019-20.Similarly,a15%year-on-yearreductionofannualaveragePM10concentrationshasbeensetasoneoftheperformancecriteriaforthe100%releaseoffundsto42UrbanAgglomerationsunderthe15thFinanceCommissiongrants.Thegovernmentnotifiedthatthefinancialyear(ApriltoMarch)willbeadoptedastheairqualitymanagementcalendar(PRANA-Minutes,2021).TheMoEF&CCalsopublishedSwachhVayuSarvekshanor“GuidelinesforRankingofCitiesunderNCAPforFY2022-23to2025-26”in2022(SVS-MOEF&CC,2022).Theserankingsarebasedonmeasurestoabateemissions,publicawarenessactivitiesandimprovementinPM--10concentrations.Aweightageof95%hasbeenattributedtoemissionabatementmeasuresandaweightageof2.5%hasbeenattributedtobothpublicawarenessactivitiesandimprovementinPM--10concentrations.Threecitiesshallbeawardedunderthreecategoriesbasedonpopulationabove10lakhs,3-10lakhsandlessthan3lakhs.AirQuality(PM-10)inNon-AttainmentCitiesAspertheannualaveragePM10-datareportedbyCPCB,34outof82citiesfundedunderNCAPachievedtheperformancetargetsduring2021-22.Similarly,only4outof42UrbanAgglomerationsachieveda15%reductioninannualaveragePM10during2021-22ascomparedtothelevelsreportedduring2020-21,leavingmostcitiesawayfromtheirconcentrationreductiontargetsforFY2021-22asdepictedinfigure4-6.TracingtheHazyAir2023:43ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)Figure4:AnnualaveragePM10(µg/m3)of34CitieswhichAchievedPerformanceTargetsunderNCAP‘NationalCleanAirCity’Awardsweregivento9best-performingcitiesunderSwachhVayuSarvekshan2022(PIB,2022e).Inthefirstcategoryofcities,LucknowwasawardedthefirstprizeofRs.1.5croreforreducingaverageambientPM10concentrationby31%from2019-20to2021-22.Inthesecondcategory,MoradabadbaggedthefirstprizewithacashrewardofRs.75lakhsbyreducingPM10concentrationby36%.Andinthethirdcategory,DewasbaggedthefirstprizewithacashrewardofRs.37.5lakhs.TheCPCBdataalsorevealedthat15outofthe131non-attainmentcitieswerewithintheannualNAAQSstandardof60µg/m3.TracingtheHazyAir2023:44ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)Figure5:AnnualaveragePM10(µg/m3)of48CitieswhichcouldnotachievePerformanceTargetsunderNCAPTracingtheHazyAir2023:45ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)Figure6:AnnualaveragePM10(µg/m3)of42UrbanAgglomerationsagainsttheirPerformanceTargetsThese42UrbanAgglomerationsalsoincludePatancheruinHyderabadUA,Thane,Ulhasnagar,NaviMumbai,BadlapurinGreaterMumbaiUA,BarrackporeandHowrahinKolkataUA.TracingtheHazyAir2023:46ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)ConclusionandWayForwardThisreviewhighlightstheexistinglacunaeinthecurrentstructureofNCAPsuchas:●Lackofcomprehensivemechanismtogovernairqualitymanagementatthecity,district,stateandregionallevel/airshedlevel.●Lackofanysubstantiveemissionloadreduction-basedapproachasnoactionplanspeaksofacapontheconsumptionoffossilfuelsanditsreducedusage,especiallyinthepowerandtransportsector.●Lackoftransparentdataavailabilityonairqualitylevelsacrossthecountryintheabsenceofanadequateairqualitymonitoringinfrastructure,lackofintegrationofalreadyexistinginfrastructurei.e.,ambientairqualitymonitoringstationsinstalledbyindustriesincomplianceofEnvironmentalClearance(EC)conditionsandusageofsatellitedataforremoteassessmentofpollutionlevelsinasystematicmanner.●Lackofintegrationofairqualitymanagementplanswithforecastingmechanisms,ContinuousEmissionMonitoringSystem(CEMS)dataandDecisionSupportSystem(DSS)byadministrativeagencies.●Lackoftransparencyinsharingactionplanstatusreportsbycities,statesandministriesevenatthenationallevelthroughNCAPportalPRANAshowsalackofaccountabilityonthepartofconcernedauthoritiesandagencies.Basedonthecurrentreviewwerecommendthat:●AfutureroadmapforNCAPwillneedtoexpeditetheidentificationofairshedsinthecountrytoformulateandimplementairshed-basedairqualitymanagement.Thenationalambientairqualitystandardsrevisioncommitteeshouldalsodiscussthenotificationofvariedambientairqualitystandardsorguidelinesbasedonthebackgroundairqualitylevelsfordifferentairsheds.TracingtheHazyAir2023:47ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)●ANationalEmissionsDatabasequantifyingtheemissionreductiontargetsatdistrict/stateandnationallevels,basedonemissionloadshouldbesetuptopropeltheachievementofNationalAmbientAirQualityStandards.●Inordertomakeasignificantimpactincombatingairpollution,newerpolicymeasuresshouldincludeintegratingthecensusdefinitionsandexistingadministrativeset-upforidentifyingnon-attainmentcitiesandimplementingagenciesforairqualitymanagement.Districtandstateairqualityplansmaybepreparedforcomprehensiveairqualitymanagementandupdatedwithnewinformationgatheredthroughthestudiesanddatacompilationwithefficientutilisationofestablishedsystemsandtools.●DatatransparencyintermsofintegrationofprogressacrosssectorsintotheNCAPportaliscrucialforpublicoutreach,accountability,andinformation.Publicaccesstonationalairqualitydatageneratedthroughsatellite,Industrialairqualitymonitoring,CEMS,low-costsensorsandmanualmonitorsshouldbeensured.●Failuretoabidebytimelinesforconductingvariousresearchstudies(i.e.,emissionInventory,source-apportionment,carryingcapacitystudiesandhealthbaselinesetc.)shouldbepenalised.Theseresearchstudiesareonlyhelpfulinsettingthebaselineifconductedwithinpropertimelines.Abatementofairpollutionisandwillremainamajorfocusareaofeveryemergingeconomystrivingtowardsachievingthebalancebetweenprogressandthebasicrighttobreathecleanair.Indiaisexpectedtobecomeadevelopedcountryby2047,whichcanonlybeachievedifthecitizensliveinahealthyenvironmentandcontributetotheeconomicdevelopmentofthecountrybyreducinghealthburdencostsandbeinganefficientworkforce.IftheNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)isimplementedsystematicallybybringinginappropriatechangesinitensuringaccountabilityofpollutingsectorsinamissionmode,wewillsoonstartseeingpeaksforfossilfuelconsumptioninthepowerandtransportationsectorsfollowedbyadeclinewhichwillleadtoareductioninemissionloadsandcleanerair.TracingtheHazyAir2023:48ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)ReferencesBEE.(2023).E-Mobility.BureauofEnergyEfficiency.https://beeindia.gov.in/content/e-mobility[Accessed8January,2023]CAQM.(2022).PolicytoCurbAirPollutionintheNationalCapitalRegion.https://caqm.nic.in/WriteReadData/LINKS/0031dcb806e-8af7-4b38-a9bc-65b91f2704cd.pdf[Accessed2January,2023]CCR.(2022a).CentralControlRoom.CentralControlRoomforAirQualityManagement-DelhiNCR.https://app.cpcbccr.com/ccr/#/dashboard-emergency-stats[Accessed19December,2022]CCR.(2022b).CentralControlRoom.CentralControlRoomforAirQualityManagement.https://app.cpcbccr.com/ccr/#/caaqm-dashboard-all/caaqm-landing[Accessed22December,2022]CEA.(2022).InformationfromCEAregardingemissionnormsandretirementofunits-RTI.https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nty7OFuj9-MY-fQbX-dD5OeNH8LkQ8UW/viewChanchalA,ChauhanC.(2020).AirpocalypseIV:AssessmentofAirPollutioninIndianCities&NationalAmbientAirQualityMonitoringProgramme(NAMP).https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-india-stateless/2020/01/aeef07e3-airpocalypse-iv.pdf.[Accessed2January,2023]CPCB.(2008).CentralPollutionControlBoard.BriefReportonAmbientAirQualityMonitoringConductedbyMobileVanAtDifferentLocationsinDelhi.https://cpcb.nic.in/openpdffile.php?id=UmVwb3J0RmlsZXMvTmV3SXRlbV8xMTVfRWRpdGluZyBSZXBvcnQgZm9yIFBvcnRhYmxlIFN0YXRpb24ucGRm[Accessed9December,2022]CPCB.(2013).CentralPollutionControlBoard.GuidelinesfortheMeasurementofAmbientAirPollutants,36,1–83.https://cpcb.nic.in/openpdffile.php?id=UmVwb3J0RmlsZXMvMjdfMTQ1ODETracingtheHazyAir2023:49ProgressReportonNationalCleanAirProgramme(NCAP)xMDQyNl9OZXdJdGVtXzE5Nl9OQUFRTVNfVm9sdW1lLUkucGRm[Accessed12December,2022]CPCB.(2022a).CentralPollutionControlBoard.TechnologyChallengeforIdentifyingandPromotingSolutionsforMitigatingAmbientAirPollution,1–11.https://cpcb.nic.in/openpdffile.php?id=TGF0ZXN0RmlsZS9fMTYwNjk4MjExMF9tZWRpYXBo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