Green bodies laud National Clean Air Programme

Sunil Dahiya, Senior Campaigner, Greenpeace India, said, "It is good to see the government's growing concentration towards air pollution. However, there is an ambiguity on the planning given the lack of information in public domain regarding NCAP. There has to be transparency of information in the public domain and inclusive public participation starting from planning level."

"The concept note on the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is a big step in the right direction to achieve breathable air across the country and we hope that CPCB and MOEF&CC along with other ministries and departments come up with a detailed action plan soon and inform the public," Dahiya added.

The draft in its existing form has no reference of specific management activities and source based initiatives for implementation of air quality management systems.

"The draft needs more thinking and clarity in terms of articulating interim milestones for completing source apportionment studies to reduce 35 per cent and 50 per cent pollution in three and five years respectively along with specific targets for polluting sectors such power and industry," said Dahiya.

The organisations which are working for environment hope that the NCAP should not follow the precedent set by what is happening with the new emission standards for coal-based power plants (communicated in December 2015).

Even after the stipulated deadline (December 2017), not a single power plant complies with norms and public health emergency of high air pollution levels originating from the power sector is being faced.

"The fact that this concept note is not even available in public domain raises concerns about how the government is going to make NCAP a truly participatory initiative. It is important that all discussions and documents regarding NCAP are available in public domain and people are informed of planning, implementation and progress made through press briefings and other channels," Dahiya said.