Tracing the hazy air 2024: progress report on National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched in India in 2019 and aimed to significantly enhance the air quality in India by 2024 by reducing PM concentration by 20-30 per cent, which in 2022 has been extended to 2026, aiming to have a 40% reduction in pollution levels compared to 2017. The programme has faced challenges and shortcomings, as highlighted in the ‘Tracing the Hazy Air 2022 & 2023‘ reviews. The latest report evaluates the progress under NCAP and ambient air quality trends for 2023.