The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has raised concerns over the methodology used in the World Air Quality Report 2023, which ranked Indian cities among the most polluted globally. This was stated in a press release dated July 25, 2024.
The ministry emphasized that the report relied heavily on data from low-cost sensors, which are not officially recognized for regulatory purposes by many countries. Additionally, variations in measurement methods and instruments across different nations can impact the accuracy of comparative rankings.
India’s Focus on NCAP
The MoEF&CC highlighted the government’s commitment to improving air quality through the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). This initiative aims to reduce particulate matter (PM) concentrations by 20-30% by 2024 compared to 2017 levels.
Key achievements under NCAP include:
- Allocating Rs. 19,614.44 crores to 131 cities for air quality improvement measures.
- Disbursing Rs. 11,211.13 crores to these cities for implementing City Action Plans.
- Observing improved air quality in 95 out of 131 cities in terms of PM10 concentrations.
- Achieving the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10 in 18 cities.
The ministry emphasized that India is taking concrete steps to address air pollution challenges and that the government’s efforts are reflected in the improving air quality trends in many cities.
