Need coordinated effort to improve air quality: Yadav – Daily Excelsior

NEW DELHI, Mar 16: The Centre provided Rs 8,915 crore in the last four years to improve air quality in the 131 cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has said.
Addressing a meeting of the National Apex Committee under NCAP on Wednesday, Yadav emphasised the need for coordinated action by Central and State Governments, Union territory administrations, urban local bodies and state pollution control boards to improve air quality.
Yadav appreciated the performance of 95 cities which have improved air quality and 20 cities which met the national ambient air quality standards in the financial year 2021-22 under the programme, a statement said.
He spoke on the significance of the airshed approach adopted in the Indo-Gangetic plains and stressed the need for regional cooperation to address the issue of air pollution.
NCAP is a national-level strategy for a 20 per cent to 30 per cent reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2024, with 2017 as the base year for comparison. The programme covers 131 non-attainment cities which did not meet the prescribed national ambient air quality standards for five consecutive years (2011-2015).
The Centre has set a new target of 40 per cent reduction in particulate matter concentration in the cities covered under NCAP by 2026.
According to the Union Environment Ministry, 95 of the 131 non-attainment cities covered under NCAP have witnessed an “overall improvement” in PM10 levels in 2021 as compared to 2017 levels. (PTI)

India News – LatestLY

New Delhi [India], March 16 (ANI): Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav on Thursday highlighted the importance of the implementation of NCAP and emphasised coordinated actions from the Union Government, State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, Urban Local Bodies and State Pollution Control Boards for taking air quality improvement measures.

Bhupender Yadav was addressing the meeting of the National Apex Committee under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

Also Read | West Bengal | BSF Rescued Two Rare Species of Birds from Smugglers in a Search Operation … – Latest Tweet by ANI.

The Union Minister appreciated the performance of 95 cities which have improved air quality and 20 cities which met the National Ambient Air Quality Standard in FY 2021-22 under the Programme.

Bhupendra Yadav spoke on the significance of the Airshed approach adopted in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and stressed on the need for regional cooperation to address the issue of air pollution.

Also Read | ECB raises interest rates by 0.5% as banks stocks wobble.

During the meeting, the importance of Mission LiFE launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking citizen-centric actions to protect and conserve the environment was emphasised. It was stated on August 15, 2020, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi assured the Government’s commitment to ensuring clean air to all the people of the country, and announced the intent and plan to improve the air quality in more than 100 cities through a holistic approach.

Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change informed that Rs 8915 Crore have been provided from 2019-20 to 2022-23 for taking air quality improvement measures in 131 cities for achieving the prescribed annual air pollution reduction targets. 24 States/Union Territories and 131 Cities/Urban Local Bodies under NCAP have been requested to incorporate relevant actions of Mission LiFE in State and City Action Plans for the improvement of air quality.

The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) on January 10, 2019, as a national-level strategy outlining the actions for reducing the levels of air pollution at the city and regional scales in the Country. The Programme aims to systemically address air pollution by engaging all stakeholders and ensuring necessary action. A total of 131 non-attainment and million-plus cities have been identified for the implementation of the city-specific action plans under this Programme.

The Programme focuses on the preparation and implementation of the national-level action plans, state-level action plans and city-level action plans of the targeted 131 cities.

NCAP targets to achieve a reduction in Particulate Matter (PM10) levels up to 40 per cent or achievement of national standards (60 microgram/cubic meter) by 2025-26 in targeted 131 cities of 24 States. Further, States/UTs have been requested to mobilise the resources from the convergence of various Schemes of the Union Government for improving air quality.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) on Nagar Van Yojana in 131 targeted cities.

Ministry of Power on status of installation of Flue-Gas Desulfurization and pollution control measures for new emissions norms and National Mission on use of Biomass in TPPs near 131 targeted cities.Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on phasing out of old vehicles and implementation of vehicle scrapping policy in 131 targeted cities.

State Governments of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra also presented the progress of the implementation of Clean Air Action Plans and various activities under NCAP.

States were requested to convene regular meetings of Steering Committees, State Level Monitoring and Implementation Committees and City Implementation Committees for effective implementation of the Programme. All cities have been requested to upload action plans and progress reports on the PRANA portal.

The National Apex Committee under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was convened to review the implementation of NCAP under the co-chairmanship of Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav and Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey.

Representatives of eight Union Ministries, Ministry of Raod Transport and Highways, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and representatives from Central Pollution Control Board, Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, Chief Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries/ Principal Secretaries, Environment Department, Chairman of State Pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control Committees of 24 States/Union Territories and 131 Municipal Commissioners representing cities covered under NCAP were present during the meeting. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

Union Min Bhupender Yadav calls for coordinated actions in implementing National Clean Air Programme – ThePrint

New Delhi [India], March 16 (ANI): Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav on Thursday highlighted the importance of the implementation of NCAP and emphasised coordinated actions from the Union Government, State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, Urban Local Bodies and State Pollution Control Boards for taking air quality improvement measures.

Bhupender Yadav was addressing the meeting of the National Apex Committee under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

The Union Minister appreciated the performance of 95 cities which have improved air quality and 20 cities which met the National Ambient Air Quality Standard in FY 2021-22 under the Programme.

Bhupendra Yadav spoke on the significance of the Airshed approach adopted in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and stressed on the need for regional cooperation to address the issue of air pollution.

During the meeting, the importance of Mission LiFE launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking citizen-centric actions to protect and conserve the environment was emphasised. It was stated on August 15, 2020, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi assured the Government’s commitment to ensuring clean air to all the people of the country, and announced the intent and plan to improve the air quality in more than 100 cities through a holistic approach.

Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change informed that Rs 8915 Crore have been provided from 2019-20 to 2022-23 for taking air quality improvement measures in 131 cities for achieving the prescribed annual air pollution reduction targets. 24 States/Union Territories and 131 Cities/Urban Local Bodies under NCAP have been requested to incorporate relevant actions of Mission LiFE in State and City Action Plans for the improvement of air quality.

The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) on January 10, 2019, as a national-level strategy outlining the actions for reducing the levels of air pollution at the city and regional scales in the Country. The Programme aims to systemically address air pollution by engaging all stakeholders and ensuring necessary action. A total of 131 non-attainment and million-plus cities have been identified for the implementation of the city-specific action plans under this Programme.

The Programme focuses on the preparation and implementation of the national-level action plans, state-level action plans and city-level action plans of the targeted 131 cities.

NCAP targets to achieve a reduction in Particulate Matter (PM10) levels up to 40 per cent or achievement of national standards (60 microgram/cubic meter) by 2025-26 in targeted 131 cities of 24 States. Further, States/UTs have been requested to mobilise the resources from the convergence of various Schemes of the Union Government for improving air quality.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) on Nagar Van Yojana in 131 targeted cities.

Ministry of Power on status of installation of Flue-Gas Desulfurization and pollution control measures for new emissions norms and National Mission on use of Biomass in TPPs near 131 targeted cities.

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on phasing out of old vehicles and implementation of vehicle scrapping policy in 131 targeted cities.

State Governments of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra also presented the progress of the implementation of Clean Air Action Plans and various activities under NCAP.

States were requested to convene regular meetings of Steering Committees, State Level Monitoring and Implementation Committees and City Implementation Committees for effective implementation of the Programme. All cities have been requested to upload action plans and progress reports on the PRANA portal.

The National Apex Committee under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was convened to review the implementation of NCAP under the co-chairmanship of Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav and Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey.

Representatives of eight Union Ministries, Ministry of Raod Transport and Highways, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and representatives from Central Pollution Control Board, Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, Chief Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries/ Principal Secretaries, Environment Department, Chairman of State Pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control Committees of 24 States/Union Territories and 131 Municipal Commissioners representing cities covered under NCAP were present during the meeting. (ANI)

This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

Union Min Bhupender Yadav calls for coordinated actions in implementing National Clean Air Programme – Devdiscourse

Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav on Thursday highlighted the importance of the implementation of NCAP and emphasised coordinated actions from the Union Government, State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, Urban Local Bodies and State Pollution Control Boards for taking air quality improvement measures. Bhupender Yadav was addressing the meeting of the National Apex Committee under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

The Union Minister appreciated the performance of 95 cities which have improved air quality and 20 cities which met the National Ambient Air Quality Standard in FY 2021-22 under the Programme. Bhupendra Yadav spoke on the significance of the Airshed approach adopted in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and stressed on the need for regional cooperation to address the issue of air pollution.

During the meeting, the importance of Mission LiFE launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking citizen-centric actions to protect and conserve the environment was emphasised. It was stated on August 15, 2020, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi assured the Government’s commitment to ensuring clean air to all the people of the country, and announced the intent and plan to improve the air quality in more than 100 cities through a holistic approach. Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change informed that Rs 8915 Crore have been provided from 2019-20 to 2022-23 for taking air quality improvement measures in 131 cities for achieving the prescribed annual air pollution reduction targets. 24 States/Union Territories and 131 Cities/Urban Local Bodies under NCAP have been requested to incorporate relevant actions of Mission LiFE in State and City Action Plans for the improvement of air quality.

The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) on January 10, 2019, as a national-level strategy outlining the actions for reducing the levels of air pollution at the city and regional scales in the Country. The Programme aims to systemically address air pollution by engaging all stakeholders and ensuring necessary action. A total of 131 non-attainment and million-plus cities have been identified for the implementation of the city-specific action plans under this Programme. The Programme focuses on the preparation and implementation of the national-level action plans, state-level action plans and city-level action plans of the targeted 131 cities.

NCAP targets to achieve a reduction in Particulate Matter (PM10) levels up to 40 per cent or achievement of national standards (60 microgram/cubic meter) by 2025-26 in targeted 131 cities of 24 States. Further, States/UTs have been requested to mobilise the resources from the convergence of various Schemes of the Union Government for improving air quality. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) on Nagar Van Yojana in 131 targeted cities.

Ministry of Power on status of installation of Flue-Gas Desulfurization and pollution control measures for new emissions norms and National Mission on use of Biomass in TPPs near 131 targeted cities.Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on phasing out of old vehicles and implementation of vehicle scrapping policy in 131 targeted cities. State Governments of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra also presented the progress of the implementation of Clean Air Action Plans and various activities under NCAP.

States were requested to convene regular meetings of Steering Committees, State Level Monitoring and Implementation Committees and City Implementation Committees for effective implementation of the Programme. All cities have been requested to upload action plans and progress reports on the PRANA portal. The National Apex Committee under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was convened to review the implementation of NCAP under the co-chairmanship of Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav and Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey.

Representatives of eight Union Ministries, Ministry of Raod Transport and Highways, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and representatives from Central Pollution Control Board, Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, Chief Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries/ Principal Secretaries, Environment Department, Chairman of State Pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control Committees of 24 States/Union Territories and 131 Municipal Commissioners representing cities covered under NCAP were present during the meeting. (ANI)

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Union Min Bhupender Yadav calls for coordinated actions in implementing National Clean Air Programme – ANI News

New Delhi [India], March 16 (ANI): Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav on Thursday highlighted the importance of the implementation of NCAP and emphasised coordinated actions from the Union Government, State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, Urban Local Bodies and State Pollution Control Boards for taking air quality improvement measures.
Bhupender Yadav was addressing the meeting of the National Apex Committee under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
The Union Minister appreciated the performance of 95 cities which have improved air quality and 20 cities which met the National Ambient Air Quality Standard in FY 2021-22 under the Programme.
Bhupendra Yadav spoke on the significance of the Airshed approach adopted in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and stressed on the need for regional cooperation to address the issue of air pollution.
During the meeting, the importance of Mission LiFE launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking citizen-centric actions to protect and conserve the environment was emphasised. It was stated on August 15, 2020, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi assured the Government’s commitment to ensuring clean air to all the people of the country, and announced the intent and plan to improve the air quality in more than 100 cities through a holistic approach.
Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change informed that Rs 8915 Crore have been provided from 2019-20 to 2022-23 for taking air quality improvement measures in 131 cities for achieving the prescribed annual air pollution reduction targets. 24 States/Union Territories and 131 Cities/Urban Local Bodies under NCAP have been requested to incorporate relevant actions of Mission LiFE in State and City Action Plans for the improvement of air quality.
The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) on January 10, 2019, as a national-level strategy outlining the actions for reducing the levels of air pollution at the city and regional scales in the Country. The Programme aims to systemically address air pollution by engaging all stakeholders and ensuring necessary action. A total of 131 non-attainment and million-plus cities have been identified for the implementation of the city-specific action plans under this Programme.

The Programme focuses on the preparation and implementation of the national-level action plans, state-level action plans and city-level action plans of the targeted 131 cities.
NCAP targets to achieve a reduction in Particulate Matter (PM10) levels up to 40 per cent or achievement of national standards (60 microgram/cubic meter) by 2025-26 in targeted 131 cities of 24 States. Further, States/UTs have been requested to mobilise the resources from the convergence of various Schemes of the Union Government for improving air quality.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) on Nagar Van Yojana in 131 targeted cities.
Ministry of Power on status of installation of Flue-Gas Desulfurization and pollution control measures for new emissions norms and National Mission on use of Biomass in TPPs near 131 targeted cities.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on phasing out of old vehicles and implementation of vehicle scrapping policy in 131 targeted cities.
State Governments of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra also presented the progress of the implementation of Clean Air Action Plans and various activities under NCAP.
States were requested to convene regular meetings of Steering Committees, State Level Monitoring and Implementation Committees and City Implementation Committees for effective implementation of the Programme. All cities have been requested to upload action plans and progress reports on the PRANA portal.
The National Apex Committee under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was convened to review the implementation of NCAP under the co-chairmanship of Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav and Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey.
Representatives of eight Union Ministries, Ministry of Raod Transport and Highways, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and representatives from Central Pollution Control Board, Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, Chief Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries/ Principal Secretaries, Environment Department, Chairman of State Pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control Committees of 24 States/Union Territories and 131 Municipal Commissioners representing cities covered under NCAP were present during the meeting. (ANI)

Need coordinated effort by central, state & local admins to improve air quality: Bhupender Yadav – PSU Watch

States received cash award under Swacchh Vayu Sarvekshan

Minister of State for Environment Ashwini Kumar Choubey congratulated Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Moradabad, Firozabad, Amravati, Dewas, Sunder Nagar and Nalagarh which have received a cash award under the Swacchh Vayu Sarvekshan conducted for the financial year 2022-23.

He requested states and Union territories to submit proposals under the Nagar Van Yojana and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation for increasing the green cover in NCAP cities, the statement said.

Need efforts from central, state to improve air quality: Bhupender Yadav – Business Standard

The Centre provided Rs 8,915 crore in the last four years to improve in the 131 cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Union Bhupender Yadav has said.

Addressing a meeting of the National Apex Committee under NCAP on Wednesday, Yadav emphasised the need for coordinated action by central and state governments, Union territory administrations, urban local bodies and state pollution control boards to improve .

Yadav appreciated the performance of 95 cities which have improved and 20 cities which met the national ambient air quality standards in the financial year 2021-22 under the programme, a statement said.

He spoke on the significance of the airshed approach adopted in the Indo-Gangetic plains and stressed the need for regional cooperation to address the issue of .

NCAP is a national-level strategy for a 20 per cent to 30 per cent reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2024, with 2017 as the base year for comparison. The programme covers 131 non-attainment cities which did not meet the prescribed national ambient air quality standards for five consecutive years (2011-2015).

The Centre has set a new target of 40 per cent reduction in particulate matter concentration in the cities covered under NCAP by 2026.

According to the Union Environment Ministry, 95 of the 131 non-attainment cities covered under NCAP have witnessed an overall improvement in PM10 levels in 2021 as compared to 2017 levels.

Twenty cities, including Chennai, Madurai and Nashik, have met the national standards for annual average PM10 concentration (60 microgram per cubic metre).

The acceptable annual standard for PM2.5 is 40 micrograms per cubic metre.

PM2.5 are fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller, and are the greatest risk to health.

Minister of State for Environment Ashwini Kumar Choubey congratulated Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Moradabad, Firozabad, Amravati, Dewas, Sunder Nagar and Nalagarh which have received a cash award under the Swacchh Vayu Sarvekshan conducted for the financial year 2022-23.

He requested states and Union territories to submit proposals under the Nagar Van Yojana and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation for increasing the green cover in NCAP cities, the statement said.

The ministers also emphasised the importance of Mission LiFE launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking citizen-centric actions to protect and conserve the environment.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Need efforts from central, state to improve air quality: Bhupender Yadavs – Business Standard

The Centre provided Rs 8,915 crore in the last four years to improve in the 131 cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Union Bhupender Yadav has said.

Addressing a meeting of the National Apex Committee under NCAP on Wednesday, Yadav emphasised the need for coordinated action by central and state governments, Union territory administrations, urban local bodies and state pollution control boards to improve .

Yadav appreciated the performance of 95 cities which have improved and 20 cities which met the national ambient air quality standards in the financial year 2021-22 under the programme, a statement said.

He spoke on the significance of the airshed approach adopted in the Indo-Gangetic plains and stressed the need for regional cooperation to address the issue of .

NCAP is a national-level strategy for a 20 per cent to 30 per cent reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2024, with 2017 as the base year for comparison. The programme covers 131 non-attainment cities which did not meet the prescribed national ambient air quality standards for five consecutive years (2011-2015).

The Centre has set a new target of 40 per cent reduction in particulate matter concentration in the cities covered under NCAP by 2026.

According to the Union Environment Ministry, 95 of the 131 non-attainment cities covered under NCAP have witnessed an overall improvement in PM10 levels in 2021 as compared to 2017 levels.

Twenty cities, including Chennai, Madurai and Nashik, have met the national standards for annual average PM10 concentration (60 microgram per cubic metre).

The acceptable annual standard for PM2.5 is 40 micrograms per cubic metre.

PM2.5 are fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller, and are the greatest risk to health.

Minister of State for Environment Ashwini Kumar Choubey congratulated Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Moradabad, Firozabad, Amravati, Dewas, Sunder Nagar and Nalagarh which have received a cash award under the Swacchh Vayu Sarvekshan conducted for the financial year 2022-23.

He requested states and Union territories to submit proposals under the Nagar Van Yojana and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation for increasing the green cover in NCAP cities, the statement said.

The ministers also emphasised the importance of Mission LiFE launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking citizen-centric actions to protect and conserve the environment.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

India's 12 Cities Among Most Polluted In Central And South Asia In 2022: Report – Outlook India

Twelve of the 15 most polluted cities in the Central and South Asia in 2022 were in India with Bhiwadi being the most polluted city in the country, according to a new report.

According to the report by Swiss firm IQAir released on Tuesday, India’s annual average PM2.5 level in 2022 was 53.3 µg/m3, slightly lower than the 2021 average of 58.1.

Last year, 12 of the 15 most polluted cities in the Central and South Asia were in India with Bhiwadi being the most polluted city in the country at an annual PM2.5 levels of 92.7 µg/m3.

The report also stated that roughly 60 per cent of cities in India included in this report experienced annual PM2.5 levels of at least seven times higher than the WHO guideline.

The transportation sector’s contribution to PM2.5 varies from 20 to 35 per cent across Indian cities.

The report noted that stubble (crop residue) burning is also an important challenge in the region but is an episodic phenomenon confined to a few areas, including Delhi.

In 2022, India relaxed environmental compliance rules for coal mines which allowed for increased production in response to power outages exacerbated by extreme heatwaves.

In November, steam coal/thermal coal imports hit a 10-month low and total coal production increased 11.7 per cent to 75.9 million tons.

The report said air quality monitoring has increased over the past years in India, but the country still lacks the ability to track the progress of reduction strategies through an effective and reliable emissions inventory.

A comprehensive national emission database is critical in determining sectoral emission reductions needed to meet the targeted 40 per cent reduction in particulate concentrations by 2026 outlined in the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), the report said.

The ability to attribute emissions to their respective sources is necessary to monitor the progress of emissions-lowering initiatives, it said.

DC Sgr inspects works under National Clean Air Programme – Kashmir Reader

Water fountains to be operational shortly, major landscaping/green cover project to attain better Air Quality Index

SRINAGAR: In order to have onsite inspection of ongoing works taken up under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to improve Air Quality Index in District, the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad conducted a whirlwind tour of several City areas here on Monday.
The DC who is the Chairman of the District Level Committee for NCAP accompanied by Chief Planning Officer, Secretary SDA, Chief Sanitation Officer, SMC, Executive Engineers of R&B, Landscaping, SMC and other concerned Departments visited Panthachowk, Haj House, Bemina, Batamaloo, SMHS crossing Kak Sarai near SMHS and other areas.
During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner took spot inspection of works on construction of water fountains at identified locations being executed under the National Clean Air Programme at important heavy traffic volume intersections including Sonwar, Hazratbal, Batamaloo, Bemina, near JVC, Kak Sarai-SMHS Hospital crossing, main Chowk Soura, Mirza Kamil Chowk Hawal and Dalgate to reduce the environmental pollution in Srinagar City.
On the occasion, the DC was apprised that over 90 percent of works have been completed on installation of fountains at Sonwar, Hazratbal, Batamaloo, Bemina and Kak Sarai-SMHS crossing.
While inspecting the progress of work on fountain at Kak Sarai-SMHS crossing being built in Municipal Park, the DC asked the SMC authorities to complete the remaining work at the earliest. He also asked them to prepare a DPR for landscaping and beautification of the park around the fountain under the project.
With regard to launching of plantation drive in City to increase green cover to attain better Air Quality Index in years ahead, the DC asked the Executive Engineer Landscape Division to prepare a comprehensive DPR to undertaking plantation/green cover in Panthachowk area including Central verge along Pandrathen-Atheajan axis and Panthachowk-Lasjan axis.
He also asked them to take up measure for plantation on hilly area in Zewan-Khonmoh areas particularly in stone quarry/mining affected areas and barren patches of the mountain so that green cover is increased to these affected areas with visible impact.
The DC further asked the officers of Agrostology to conduct and exercise to explore the best methodology for enhancing the green cover on the barren patches on the mountain.
Similarly, at Highway Bemina, the Deputy Commissioner asked the authorities to speed up the process regarding beatification and landscape works on Highway near the premises of the Haj House. On the occasion, the DC was informed that Rs 1.13 crore project is approved for beautification/landscaping and work shall start shortly.