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– Photo: PTI
Expansion
In terms of improving air quality, Varanasi has been ranked number one among 131 cities of the country. At the same time, improvement has been seen in Delhi also. The National Clean Air Program (NCAP), launched by the Central Government on January 10, 2019 to improve air quality, has completed five years. In this program, a target was set to reduce ultra-fine harmful particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10 by 20 to 30 percent by 2023.
An amount of Rs 9,631.23 crore has been allocated so far on this programme. The Central Pollution Control Board has installed air quality monitors in the cities covered under this program, based on the data of which Climate Trends and Respirator Science, organizations working in the field of environment, have made this fact in an in-depth analysis report of NCAP in a journey of five years. Have been presented.
PM 2.5 levels improve in 15 of 20 most polluted cities
In 2023, PM2.5 levels have improved in 15 of the 20 most polluted cities of the country. Pollution of PM particles has increased in Navi Mumbai and Ujjain. An increase of 46-46 per cent in PM 2.5 in Navi Mumbai and Ujjain and 39 per cent increase in Mumbai has been recorded in NCAP.
More impact in these cities
According to the report, along with Varanasi, there has been a reduction in PM particles in Agra, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Meerut and Lucknow. A reduction of 53 percent in PM particles has been found in Agra, 50-50 in Jodhpur and Kanpur, 42 in Meerut and 41 percent in Lucknow. There has been a decrease of 39 percent in Talcher and 32 percent in Kalaburagi of Odisha. Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of PM Narendra Modi, has made a significant reduction in pollution caused by PM2.5 particles by 72 percent. This is more than the target set by the Central Government for 2026. At the same time, there has been a commendable reduction of 69 percent in PM10 particles.
This change in PM 2.5
Delhi recorded the highest PM2.5 level (102 ug/m3) in 2023, which is 2.5 percent less than in 2022. Whereas, PM10 level in Patna was 212.1 ug/m3. This is 10.7 percent more than in 2022. Silchar in Assam recorded the lowest PM2.5 level (9.6ug/m3) in 2023.
Improvement in PM10 in 14 cities
In the case of PM10 there has also been improvement in 14 cities, but Delhi is still behind the target. The target to reduce air pollution has now been increased to 40 percent for 2026. The report says air quality is improving, but the challenges remain complex.