New Delhi: There is a proposal to take up source-apportionment studies in around 100 non-attainment cities under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), the government said on Monday.
A non-attainment area is an area considered to have air quality worse than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
Minister of State for Environment Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Rajha Sabha said on the basis of analysis of data for five years generated under National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) during 2011-15, 94 cities have been identified as non-attainment cities. In addition, few cities have also been identified as polluted cities as per WHO data base, he said.
"It is proposed to take up source-apportionment studies in these cities under NCAP. A timeline of two years has been indicated in NCAP with reference to source apportionment studies for all non-attainment cities," he said.
He pointed out that organizations, institutions and universities having expertise and background in air pollution studies will be involved along with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Board (SPCBs) for conducting these studies.
He said the CPCB is conducting a nationwide programme for monitoring ambient air quality across the country under NAMP.
At present there are 703 manual ambient air quality monitoring stations covering 307 cities and towns in 29 states and six Union Territories.
"Under NCAP, it has been proposed that manual monitoring stations shall be strengthened from 703 operating stations to 1000 stations to cover the uncovered district & towns," he said.
The overall objective of the NCAP is comprehensive management plan for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution, besides augmenting the air quality monitoring network across the country.