Author: Community

LUDHIANA: Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), the Ludhiana municipal corporation has got the funds sanctioned from the Centre for various important development works in the city, but the civic body has failed to bring down the PM10 pollutant levels in more than two years of the scheme.
PM10 levels depict the presence of particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less in the air; these inhalable microparticles, when breathed in, result in various respiratory and other health issues.
CPCB questions MC on ‘unmet targets’
Meanwhile, ever since the NCAP was brought in, the Ludhiana MC has received grants worth at least Rs 90 crore under this scheme. Now, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has also asked the civic body to explain the reasons for not achieving the air pollution targets, despite having the required funds.
The NCAP scheme was aimed at controlling the air pollutants by adopting certain measures in various cities. The CPCB had conducted a survey of PM10 levels in some ‘million plus cities’ (MPCs) – which have a population of more than 10 lakh – and had issued notices to 32 such MPCs which hadn’t met their PM10 targets. In Punjab, the industrial town of Ludhiana has made to the list, apart from Amritsar.
PPCB’s suggestions not followed by civic body
In November 2020, when the MC had received its very first instalment of grants under the NCAP scheme, they were supposed to adopt the measures to control air pollution.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) had then also conducted a study in the city, for suggesting measures to control the air pollution. It had suggested the civic body to conduct mechanical as well as manual sweeping on the city roads to control the air pollution, besides washing roads with water treated in sewage treatment plants (STPs), sprinkling treated water on roads, and ensuring pothole-free roads etc.
MC’s attempts so far
Meanwhile, the civic officials are yet to get four sweeping machines for the city, while one machine was allotted by the PPCB. The civic body is still stuck in the tendering process to purchase these sweeping machines. Similarly, the water sprinklers were also purchased, but were never used in the city.
The officials had also bought six anti-smoke guns under this scheme, but these could not meet the desired outcomes, and now even these smoke guns are lying idle.
However, a few roads were constructed under the NCAP scheme, and buffer zones were also created.
Officials said that there were three parts of the 24×7 water supply project. First, they undertook sewage cleaning work. The project could not start earlier as work on Malhar Road and Sarabha Nagar markets were going on. The road was dug up to lay water supply lines.
Water meters are to be installed in the houses to measure water consumption under the project, which is aimed at preventing water wastage. Superintending engineer, operation and maintenance cell Ravinder Garg said, “A notice has been issued to the contractor for the slow pace of work. We are asking him to complete it as soon as possible.”
He also said that underground water pipeline has been laid and the firm has started giving connections to households. It took almost four years for officials to start laying water supply lines from the first inauguration of the project in 2018. The second inauguration took place in 2022. Water supply lines have been laid in a few areas but work is on in some

LUDHIANA: Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), the Ludhiana municipal corporation has got the funds sanctioned from the Centre for various important development works in the city, but the civic body has failed to bring down the PM10 pollutant levels in more than two years of the scheme.
PM10 levels depict the presence of particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less in the air; these inhalable microparticles, when breathed in, result in various respiratory and other health issues.
CPCB questions MC on ‘unmet targets’
Meanwhile, ever since the NCAP was brought in, the Ludhiana MC has received grants worth at least Rs 90 crore under this scheme. Now, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has also asked the civic body to explain the reasons for not achieving the air pollution targets, despite having the required funds.
The NCAP scheme was aimed at controlling the air pollutants by adopting certain measures in various cities. The CPCB had conducted a survey of PM10 levels in some ‘million plus cities’ (MPCs) – which have a population of more than 10 lakh – and had issued notices to 32 such MPCs which hadn’t met their PM10 targets. In Punjab, the industrial town of Ludhiana has made to the list, apart from Amritsar.
PPCB’s suggestions not followed by civic body
In November 2020, when the MC had received its very first instalment of grants under the NCAP scheme, they were supposed to adopt the measures to control air pollution.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) had then also conducted a study in the city, for suggesting measures to control the air pollution. It had suggested the civic body to conduct mechanical as well as manual sweeping on the city roads to control the air pollution, besides washing roads with water treated in sewage treatment plants (STPs), sprinkling treated water on roads, and ensuring pothole-free roads etc.
MC’s attempts so far
Meanwhile, the civic officials are yet to get four sweeping machines for the city, while one machine was allotted by the PPCB. The civic body is still stuck in the tendering process to purchase these sweeping machines. Similarly, the water sprinklers were also purchased, but were never used in the city.
The officials had also bought six anti-smoke guns under this scheme, but these could not meet the desired outcomes, and now even these smoke guns are lying idle.
However, a few roads were constructed under the NCAP scheme, and buffer zones were also created.
Officials said that there were three parts of the 24×7 water supply project. First, they undertook sewage cleaning work. The project could not start earlier as work on Malhar Road and Sarabha Nagar markets were going on. The road was dug up to lay water supply lines.
Water meters are to be installed in the houses to measure water consumption under the project, which is aimed at preventing water wastage. Superintending engineer, operation and maintenance cell Ravinder Garg said, “A notice has been issued to the contractor for the slow pace of work. We are asking him to complete it as soon as possible.”
He also said that underground water pipeline has been laid and the firm has started giving connections to households. It took almost four years for officials to start laying water supply lines from the first inauguration of the project in 2018. The second inauguration took place in 2022. Water supply lines have been laid in a few areas but work is on in some

LUDHIANA: Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), the Ludhiana municipal corporation has got the funds sanctioned from the Centre for various important development works in the city, but the civic body has failed to bring down the PM10 pollutant levels in more than two years of the scheme.
PM10 levels depict the presence of particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less in the air; these inhalable microparticles, when breathed in, result in various respiratory and other health issues.
CPCB questions MC on ‘unmet targets’
Meanwhile, ever since the NCAP was brought in, the Ludhiana MC has received grants worth at least Rs 90 crore under this scheme. Now, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has also asked the civic body to explain the reasons for not achieving the air pollution targets, despite having the required funds.
The NCAP scheme was aimed at controlling the air pollutants by adopting certain measures in various cities. The CPCB had conducted a survey of PM10 levels in some ‘million plus cities’ (MPCs) – which have a population of more than 10 lakh – and had issued notices to 32 such MPCs which hadn’t met their PM10 targets. In Punjab, the industrial town of Ludhiana has made to the list, apart from Amritsar.
PPCB’s suggestions not followed by civic body
In November 2020, when the MC had received its very first instalment of grants under the NCAP scheme, they were supposed to adopt the measures to control air pollution.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) had then also conducted a study in the city, for suggesting measures to control the air pollution. It had suggested the civic body to conduct mechanical as well as manual sweeping on the city roads to control the air pollution, besides washing roads with water treated in sewage treatment plants (STPs), sprinkling treated water on roads, and ensuring pothole-free roads etc.
MC’s attempts so far
Meanwhile, the civic officials are yet to get four sweeping machines for the city, while one machine was allotted by the PPCB. The civic body is still stuck in the tendering process to purchase these sweeping machines. Similarly, the water sprinklers were also purchased, but were never used in the city.
The officials had also bought six anti-smoke guns under this scheme, but these could not meet the desired outcomes, and now even these smoke guns are lying idle.
However, a few roads were constructed under the NCAP scheme, and buffer zones were also created.
Officials said that there were three parts of the 24×7 water supply project. First, they undertook sewage cleaning work. The project could not start earlier as work on Malhar Road and Sarabha Nagar markets were going on. The road was dug up to lay water supply lines.
Water meters are to be installed in the houses to measure water consumption under the project, which is aimed at preventing water wastage. Superintending engineer, operation and maintenance cell Ravinder Garg said, “A notice has been issued to the contractor for the slow pace of work. We are asking him to complete it as soon as possible.”
He also said that underground water pipeline has been laid and the firm has started giving connections to households. It took almost four years for officials to start laying water supply lines from the first inauguration of the project in 2018. The second inauguration took place in 2022. Water supply lines have been laid in a few areas but work is on in some

LUDHIANA: Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), the Ludhiana municipal corporation has got the funds sanctioned from the Centre for various important development works in the city, but the civic body has failed to bring down the PM10 pollutant levels in more than two years of the scheme.
PM10 levels depict the presence of particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less in the air; these inhalable microparticles, when breathed in, result in various respiratory and other health issues.
CPCB questions MC on ‘unmet targets’
Meanwhile, ever since the NCAP was brought in, the Ludhiana MC has received grants worth at least Rs 90 crore under this scheme. Now, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has also asked the civic body to explain the reasons for not achieving the air pollution targets, despite having the required funds.
The NCAP scheme was aimed at controlling the air pollutants by adopting certain measures in various cities. The CPCB had conducted a survey of PM10 levels in some ‘million plus cities’ (MPCs) – which have a population of more than 10 lakh – and had issued notices to 32 such MPCs which hadn’t met their PM10 targets. In Punjab, the industrial town of Ludhiana has made to the list, apart from Amritsar.
PPCB’s suggestions not followed by civic body
In November 2020, when the MC had received its very first instalment of grants under the NCAP scheme, they were supposed to adopt the measures to control air pollution.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) had then also conducted a study in the city, for suggesting measures to control the air pollution. It had suggested the civic body to conduct mechanical as well as manual sweeping on the city roads to control the air pollution, besides washing roads with water treated in sewage treatment plants (STPs), sprinkling treated water on roads, and ensuring pothole-free roads etc.
MC’s attempts so far
Meanwhile, the civic officials are yet to get four sweeping machines for the city, while one machine was allotted by the PPCB. The civic body is still stuck in the tendering process to purchase these sweeping machines. Similarly, the water sprinklers were also purchased, but were never used in the city.
The officials had also bought six anti-smoke guns under this scheme, but these could not meet the desired outcomes, and now even these smoke guns are lying idle.
However, a few roads were constructed under the NCAP scheme, and buffer zones were also created.
Officials said that there were three parts of the 24×7 water supply project. First, they undertook sewage cleaning work. The project could not start earlier as work on Malhar Road and Sarabha Nagar markets were going on. The road was dug up to lay water supply lines.
Water meters are to be installed in the houses to measure water consumption under the project, which is aimed at preventing water wastage. Superintending engineer, operation and maintenance cell Ravinder Garg said, “A notice has been issued to the contractor for the slow pace of work. We are asking him to complete it as soon as possible.”
He also said that underground water pipeline has been laid and the firm has started giving connections to households. It took almost four years for officials to start laying water supply lines from the first inauguration of the project in 2018. The second inauguration took place in 2022. Water supply lines have been laid in a few areas but work is on in some

Dates: May 30 to June 2, 2023
Venue: Anil Agarwal Environment Training Institute (AAETI), Nimli, Tijara, Alwar district, Rajasthan

Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) 131 non-attainment cites including 42 million plus cities are implementing clean air action plans. Also the 15^th Finance Commission fund supports clean air initiatives in million plus cities. In order to accomplish the goals of NCAP (20 to 30 per cent reduction in particulate pollution by 2024) and 15^th Finance Commission (5 per cent annual reduction over 5 years), these programmes require implementation of time-bound multi-sectoral action. The centre has further enhanced the target to 40 per cent reduction in particulate pollution by 2026 or achieving 60 microgramme per cubic metre.

Since 2021–22, the 15^th Finance Commission’s fund disbursement has become performance-based. Cities need to demonstrate decrease in PM10 levels and increase in good days as per the air quality index. This is reported in clean air actions in Swacchh Vayu Sarvekshan. NCAP has also led to resource mobilisation through convergence of other schemes and funding in the concerned sectors that aidin air quality improvement. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) through Portal for Regulation of Air Pollution in Non-Attainment Cities (PRANA) monitors and assesses the physical and financial status of city action plans implementation. This is further supported by the state action plans.

The most recent addition in NCAP is Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) Mission indicators. State and city action plans are required to integrate 14 LiFE indicators related to clean air plan along with annual targets and quarterly progress monitoring.

All this require an in-depth understanding and knowledge of the multi-sectoral strategies, how these can be designed as part of funding strategies and implemented for air pollution reduction. This training programme has been specially designed to support implementation, performance evaluation and mid-course assessment of the clean air action plans in NCAP cities.

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is inviting participation in its four-day Training Programme onAchieving NCAP air quality goals: Understanding performance evaluation and integration of LIFE mission in 2023 action strategy on May 30 to June 2, 2023 at Anil Agarwal Environment Training Institute (AAETI) located at Nimli, Tijara, Alwar district, Rajasthan.This programme represents our initiative to promote good regulatory practices on clean air action planning through knowledge sharing and capacity building.

This training programme is specially designed for officials from the concerned implementing departments and agencies including State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), Pollution Control Committees (PCCs), Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and other officials involved with NCAP, clean air action planning and implementation.

Training session modules will enable interaction with experts and will focus on the following:

• How is NCAP and funding moving action on ground: NCAP framework for clean air action planning and compliance, understanding how to best utilise the PRANA portal for planning and implementation, methods of setting targets for micro action plans and state action plans and integration of LiFE Mission indicators.
• Performance evaluation: Performance based funding, assessment including scoring pattern based on air quality and measures undertaken and Swacchh Vayu Sarvekshan framework and incentives
• Airshed based planning: Framework for managing regional air quality
• Governance: Institutional framework for effective air quality governance, monitoring and compliance
• Monitoring: Strengthening air quality monitoring for information dissemination, compliance reporting and evaluating changes in air quality with respect to the actions taken
• Emission sources: Understanding emission sources and profiling, new approaches to pollution source assessment, real-time source contribution visualization and assessment of carrying capacity
• Multi-sectoral air pollution control strategies: Specified actions and implementation related to vehicles and transport, industries and power plants, municipal solid waste, construction and demolition waste, road dust etc
• Hotspots based planning approach for hyper local action: Identification and management

For more information, please contact

Priyanka Chandola
Mobile: +91 – 9810414938
Email: priyanka@cseindia.org

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LUDHIANA: In order to restore a few barren and abandoned green belts, the MC has initiated beautification work under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). In the absence of proper upkeep, a few parks are in poor shape, with weeds spreading across the area. Officials plan to restore six parks/green belts along old GT road near Salem Tabri.
These parks were opened many years ago and can be developed into lush green spaces for the public. As of now however, they are pictures of neglect with broken fountains, missing grills, rotting plants and broken footpaths. Officials concerned said that repair works had started.
Besides, MC is also developing a parking lot at the old GT road near Gandhi Market. Officials have decided to level the ground for the parking lot but keep it in as it is otherwise. A plantation is also being developed on the sides of the ground for shade. Land where the parking lot is to come up was under encroachment.
However, major work is to take place from Pakhowal Road till Jawaddi, where the green belt is most neglected. People even dump garbage at a few places. Officials plan to focus on the space along the canal, which will be cleaned. The MC officials said that their work would improve air quality levels and give people a place to enjoy their leisure time.

Indore is known as India’s cleanest city, having secured the title seven years in a row in Swachh Bharat National Cleanliness Surveys, and it is now determined to clean its air too. On February 15, the “Clean Air, Clean Indore” campaign was endorsed by the city’s mayor at the unveiling ceremony of three state-of-the-art monitoring stations that will provide highly accurate data on local sources of air pollution and help inform strategies to improve air quality “Like the moon, which has its blemishes, the city of Indore also has been facing two issues: its air quality and the traffic,” Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav said at the ceremony held at one of the monitoring sites located at the Malav Kanya Higher Secondary School. “These two concerns have been added to my list of priorities, and the opening of the three new air quality monitoring sites operated by the Clean Air Catalyst is a step in the right direction.”

Collaboration on the “Clean Air, Clean Indore” Campaign

The goal of “Clean Air, Clean Indore” has been set by the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC). To understand what it means and what efforts are being made to achieve it, we must look to a letter issued on July 1, 2016, by the Central Pollution Control Board. Indore was named 1 of 132 non-attainment cities because it did not meet the prescribed national ambient air standards for five consecutive years (2011-15). India’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) standards look to reduce particulate matter concentration by 40% in cities covered under the NCAP by 2026, updating the earlier goal of a 20-30% reduction by 2024.

Indore’s efforts to clean its air received a significant boost in 2020 when the Clean Air Catalyst program launched in collaboration with the IMC. The Catalyst is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and co-led by WRI and the Environmental Defense Fund.

According to USAID Mission Director to India Veena Reddy, “In India, USAID is developing local solutions with the government, communities and the private sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, for better health, prosperity and environment. USAID hopes that improved data through these stations will support Indore’s efforts to improve air quality and spur other cities and policymakers to take further action.”

“Indore has a long history of influencing other cities and countries,” added Hisham Mundol, Environmental Defense Fund chief advisor, India. “What Indore has done on the ground with Swachh Bharat, what Indore has done to water plus, and what Indore will do on the air… we all look forward to that.”

Indore also has a history of collaborating with global partners to achieve its growth and development goals. Sree Kumar Kumaraswamy, program director for air quality action at WRI India, recalled, “We have had a long-term relationship with Indore. Fifteen years ago, we were involved in building the bus rapid transit system and since then we have been working on various projects on the environment and helping the IMC with various projects.”

Understanding Indore’s Air

With the inauguration of three new air quality monitoring stations in Indore, the Catalyst will collect air quality information to study and understand the composition and levels of various pollutants in the city’s ambient air. The goal is to better understand the sources of air pollution, the impact on the lives of residents, and devise strategies aimed at improving air quality to protect those most affected while simultaneously improving public health and the environment.

The reference grade equipment will measure levels of fine particulate matter, tiny particles that can be inhaled and cause serious health problems, like heart attacks, stroke, cancer, bronchitis and asthma. Equipment at Malav Kanya School will also measure levels of black carbon, a short-lived climate pollutant that warms our planet and harms our health, as well as carbon monoxide, another hazardous pollutant. In the last two years the Catalyst has also conducted field visits to Indore to survey emissions from pollution sites and perform a source apportionment study using data and modeling to better understand the contribution of various sectors and industries, such as transport, road dust, construction and waste burning. At present, the science team is preparing a report on their findings and in the coming two years will make recommendations and support the implementation of solutions with local partners.

“We hope we will be able to achieve our goal with the support from the NGOs, Asha workers, environmentally sensitive citizens and schools. The eco clubs in schools can help in changing the behavior among the students and the families. We hope we can reduce air pollution in the city and become an example for others,” said Kumarswamy.

The air quality monitoring station inauguration ceremony was also a celebration to commemorate the successful collaboration of the Catalyst and the local administration, civil society, Indore Municipal Corporation, industry, health sector and educational institutes for the last two years.

Learn more about the Clean Air Catalyst’s approach to creating solutions in Indore, and in two other pilot cities, Jakarta and Nairobi, at cleanaircatalyst.org.

Clean Air Catalyst is a global partnership supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development and led by World Resources Institute and Environmental Defense Fund, Inc. focused on building capacity for locally tailored solutions that curb air pollution, tackle climate change and improve human health. Catalyst partners include the Columbia Climate School Clean Air Toolbox for Cities, Climate and Clean Air Coalition, Internews, MAP-AQ, OpenAQ and Vital Strategies.

A version of this article originally appeared on CleanAirCatalyst.org.

Sudhir Gore is Clean Air Catalyst’s Indore Media Consultant for Environmental Defense Fund.

A month-long awareness drive on national clean air programme organised by Dimapur District Transport (DTO) Dimapur office under the initiative of the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) began on April 15.
According to a DIPR report, the awareness campaign started at various strategic locations in and around Dimapur and Chümoukedima under the leaderships of DTO Dimapur, D. Jambo.
During the campaign drive, the officials disseminate basic information about pollution caused by emissions from automobiles; Dos and Don’ts tips to reduce pollution from automobiles were highlighted and distributed to the automobile users as paper flyers. The officials also held short seminars with the automobile users on-road vehicles and tested emission levels such as carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and oxide of nitrogen.