Tamil Nadu has emerged as a trailblazer in India’s fight against air pollution through groundbreaking measures under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Launched in 2019, NCAP aims to reduce atmospheric Particulate Matter (PM) concentrations by 20-30% from 2017 levels by 2024, with a more ambitious goal of 40% reduction by 2026.
Cities with consistently high PM levels are required to draft and implement annual Clean Air Action Plans (CAAPs). To support these efforts, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change allocated Rs 10,422.73 crore. However, only 60% of these funds have been utilized on average, with some cities spending less than 30%. For instance, Visakhapatnam and Bengaluru utilized 0% and 1% of their NCAP funds, respectively, citing approval delays as a major issue.
Despite these challenges, NCAP has spurred positive actions. Key pollution sources like commercial vehicles, diesel generators, and road dust have been identified, leading to targeted measures. Diesel generators (DG sets) are a significant pollution source, with emissions increasing elevenfold during operations.
Jammu and Kashmir was the first union territory to adopt a policy for retrofitting DG sets in February 2020, followed by Tamil Nadu as the first state in June 2020. This proactive stance has inspired over eight states, including Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Goa, and the Delhi NCR region, to mandate retrofitted emission control devices for DG sets.
The efforts by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and Jammu and Kashmir State Pollution Control Board highlight their commitment to environmental conservation, setting an example for other states. However, effective enforcement and sustained effort are crucial.
India’s diverse micro-environments and regional climate variations necessitate a nuanced approach to air quality management. Efforts must be comprehensive, addressing rural, urban, and industrial levels. This includes reinforcing emission inventories and air-shed mapping to develop an air quality early warning framework.