Jaipur hosts Clean Air Action Plan meet, 131 cities receive funds for initiative 

New Delhi: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired the 4th meeting of the Apex Committee of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in Jaipur on 7 September, 2024, to review the implementation of clean air action plans in 131 cities. Under this, 19.612 crore rupees has been allocated for 131 cities for the implementation of city action plans from 2019-20 to 2025-26, a PIB press release stated.

According to the information, the 131 cities which have received the allocation of funds so far are those which have taken steps to improve the air quality of their cities. In this, 51 cities have reduced the pollution level by 20 percent and 21 cities have achieved a reduction level of 40 percent in PM10 levels in 2023-24.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted the importance of improving air quality and reducing pollution. The meeting reviewed the implementation of National, State and City clean air action plans implemented in 24 States/UTs and 131 cities. The meeting discussed the National, State and City clean air action plans.

He highlighted the importance of convergence of Central and State Govt. of Schemes/programmes and called for implementation of proposed reforms in areas of waste management especially solid waste, plastic waste, C&D waste, e-waste, vehicular pollution and public awareness to provide better clean air to all.

It is worth noting that under the National Clean Air Program, the performance-based grant of Rs 19.612 crore has been allocated to 131 cities for the implementation of city action plans from 2019-20 to 2025-26. So far Rs 11.211 crore has been provided to these cities to achieve the targets of 40 percent reduction or achieving National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in PM10 levels by 2025-26.