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Only 1 in 5 NCAP Cities Achieve PM10 Reduction Targets

  • 23 Jul 2025

On 21st July 2025, the Environment Ministry informed Parliament that just 25 of 130 Indian cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) have achieved at least a 40% reduction in PM10 pollution levels since 2017-18.

Key Points:

  • About the NCAP: Launched in 2019, NCAP originally aimed for 20–30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 2024, revised in 2022 to a 40% PM10 reduction target or meeting 60 µg/m³ by 2025-26.
  • Funding Structure: 48 cities with over 1 million population received funds under the 15th Finance Commission’s performance grants; 82 cities funded under the Control of Pollution Scheme.
  • Financial Support: A performance-linked grant of Rs.13,036.52 crore was allocated to 130 cities for critical gap funding.
  • Progress So Far: Only 25 cities have achieved the 40% PM10 reduction goal; another 25 cities reported an increase in PM10 levels compared to 2017-18.
  • Top Performers: Bareilly (76%), Varanasi (74.3%), Firozabad (59.5%) in Uttar Pradesh, and Dehradun (57.2%) in Uttarakhand showed the most improvement.
  • Metro City Trends: Mumbai reported a 44% reduction, Kolkata 37%, Delhi 15%, and Chennai 12% in PM10 levels.
  • Overall Impact: 103 cities showed some reduction in PM10; 22 achieved both the 40% reduction and stayed under the 60 µg/m³ limit.
  • Deadline: Cities have until March 2026 to meet their respective air quality targets under NCAP.