Noida Fails to Utilize Clean Air Funds Effectively

Noida, one of India's most polluted cities, has only used around 6% of the Rs 21.95 crore allocated under the National Clean Air Programme since 2019. Many cities have similarly low fund utilization rates, impacting efforts to reduce air pollution. Revised targets aim for a 40% reduction in PM10 pollution by 2026.

Noida, one of India's most polluted cities, has utilized a mere 6% of the Rs 21.95 crore allocated under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) since 2019, according to government data.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) revealed that out of 131 cities covered under the NCAP, 19 have used less than half of their allotted funds, and four cities have used below 25% as of May 3.

Launched in 2019, the NCAP is India's first comprehensive initiative to set targets for reducing air pollution, initially aiming for a 20-30% reduction in PM10 levels by 2024, based on 2017 levels. The target has recently been revised to seek a 40% reduction by 2026, using 2019-20 as a new baseline.

(With inputs from agencies.)