Centre for Science and Environment masthead Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Donate

Cse In News

Cse In News

Delhi govt seeks suggestions from all parties on winter pollution plan

Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday sought suggestions from Delhi units of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress on suggestions to reduce air pollution in the Capital, especially during winter. The minister said these suggestions would be included in the government’s Winter Action Plan (WAP). In a letter to the chiefs of the two parties’ city units, Rai said that cooperation with neighbouring states and collaboration with the Centre “will go hand-in-hand” with the measures that the Delhi government adopts. “Pollution can be reduced only with everyone’s cooperation, not by opposition,” Rai said. Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor, however, termed the letter as “drama” by the AAP. In a post on social media platform X, he said, “There is a limit to drama Mr. @AapKaGopalRai. You write letters to everyone. Sometime, write a letter and meet CM @BhagwantMann of Punjab, the state most guilty of stubble burning. Tell me what you both are doing together to stop stubble burning. (sic)”. Meanwhile, Rai said that the suggestions can be incorporated into the government’s WAP, which will focus on 14 problematic areas, such as dust pollution, vehicular pollution, stubble burning, open burning of waste and industrial pollution. The plan is likely to be finalised by the government following a meeting of government departments and agencies on September 5. The minister also referred to a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) study from 2021, which found that between October 24 and November 8 that year, only 31% of the pollution load came from Delhi’s sources. Stubble burning and pollution sources in other NCR towns were responsible for the remaining 69%, the study found. Rai said Delhi was already taking measures to reduce local sources of pollution, with CSE’s data showing there had been a reduction in air pollution by 30% in the past nine years.

Need positive suggestions for winter action plan: Rai to BJP, Congress

In the letter to Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva and Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav, Rai cited a report of the Centre for Science and Environment suggesting that only 31% of Delhi’s pollution load is due to local sources and the rest comes from the neighbouring states. Claiming that the majority of air pollutants come from the neighbouring states, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai wrote to state unit presidents of the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday, asking for “positive suggestions” to be included in the Winter Action Plan to combat air pollution in the city. In the letter to Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva and Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav, Rai cited a report of the Centre for Science and Environment suggesting that only 31% of Delhi’s pollution load is due to local sources and the rest comes from the neighbouring states. Sachdeva, however, said that Rai was indulging in “letter politics”. The Winter Action Plan will work on three points. “First, the steps to be taken by the Delhi Government, second, getting cooperation from the neighbouring states and third, working together with the Central Government” in order to effectively reduce the pollution in Delhi even in winter,” as per the letter. “We request that if you have any positive suggestions on the above three points, which will help in reducing the pollution of Delhi, please send those to us soon so that we can include them in the action plan,” Rai’s letter further read. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, however, said that Rai was indulging in “letter politics” because Delhi will go to polls soon. “We do not wish to play politics on a crucial issue like pollution but it’s shocking to see Minister Gopal Rai doing dirty letter politics on it. Such letters seeking political cooperation should have been written in 2015-16, not today when it’s time for the Kejriwal Government to tell Delhiites why it has failed them on pollution over a decade,” he said.

Gopal seeks fair ideas from BJP, Congress to tackle pollution

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday wrote to the Congress and BJP’s city unit presidents, seeking “positive suggestions” that can be incorporated in the Winter Action Plan to reduce pollution levels in the national capital. In the letter to BJP’s Virendra Sachdeva and Congress’ Devender Yadav, the minister cited the various initiatives taken by the AAP government to solve Delhi’s pollution problem. He cited a report of the Centre for Science and Environment which states that only 31 per cent of the pollution that the people of Delhi face is contributed by the residents while the rest comes from states in the NCR area.

Minister seeks positive suggestions from BJP, Cong to tackle pollution

Delhi’s Environment minister, Gopal Rai, has reached out to the presidents of Delhi’s BJP and Congress parties with a request for constructive suggestions to enhance the Winter Action Plan aimed at reducing air pollution in the city. In a letter to the party leaders, Rai highlighted the collaborative efforts needed to address Delhi’s pollution challenges and invited them to contribute ideas for the upcoming plan. In his communication, Rai emphasised that the Winter Action Plan will focus on three primary areas, actions by the Delhi government, cooperation with neighbouring states, and collaboration with the Central government. He stressed that reducing pollution requires a collective effort, not opposition. “Pollution can be reduced only with everyone’s cooperation, not by opposition,” Rai stated. The Environment minister’s letter provided an overview of the current pollution scenario in Delhi, referencing a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). According to the report, only 31 per cent of the pollution in Delhi is attributed to local sources, while the remainder originates from neighbouring states in the National Capital Region (NCR). Rai underscored this point to highlight the importance of a coordinated approach across jurisdictions.

Delhi minister Gopal Rai seeks 'positive suggestions' from BJP, Cong to tackle pollution

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday wrote to the Congress and BJP's city unit presidents, seeking "positive suggestions" that can be incorporated in the Winter Action Plan to reduce pollution levels in the national capital. In the letter to BJP's Virendra Sachdeva and Congress' Devender Yadav, the minister cited the various initiatives taken by the AAP government to solve Delhi's pollution problem. He cited a report of the Centre for Science and Environment which states that only 31 per cent of the pollution that the people of Delhi face is contributed by the residents while the rest comes from states in the NCR area.

Gopal Rai writes to Congress, BJP presidents seeking suggestions for Winter Action Plan

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday wrote a letter to State unit presidents of Congress Devender Yadav and BJP Virendra Sachdeva, requesting any "positive suggestions" for incorporation into the Winter Action Plan to reduce pollution levels in the national capital. Rai stated that the government is preparing the Winter Action Plan focused on three key points including actions by Delhi government, cooperation with neighboring states, and collaboration with the central government to reduce winter pollution and sought their suggestions on the same. He also highlighted the various initiatives taken by the AAP dispensation to solve the pollution problem. In the letter, he cited a report of the Centre for Science and Environment which states that only 31 per cent of the pollution that the people of Delhi have to face is contributed by the residents while the rest comes from NCR states. "Pollution can be reduced only with everyone's cooperation, not through opposition. Arvind Kejriwal's government in Delhi has taken many big steps to reduce pollution, their effect is also visible," Rai said in the letter. He added that the Delhi government is actively reducing air pollution through long- and short-term plans, including successful "Summer" and "Winter Action Plans" in collaboration with all departments. “Due to various measures by the Delhi Government, pollution in Delhi has decreased by about 30 per cent over the last nine years, even as it rises in other cities across the country. He said the Delhi government is preparing to prepare a winter action plan in collaboration with all concerned departments. "The winter action plan will be mainly based on three points. First, the steps to be taken by the Delhi Government, second, getting cooperation from the neighbouring states and third, working together with the Central Government so that pollution can be effectively reduced in Delhi even in winter. "We request you that if you have any positive suggestions on the above three points which will help in reducing the pollution of Delhi, please send those to us soon so that we can include them in the action plan. We aim to reduce the pollution of Delhi," read Rai's letter. Meanwhile, Sachdeva posed 10 questions for Rai including why the Delhi government hasn’t wrote to Punjab, an AAP ruled state and the areas to get artificial rain. “Truth is that Delhi elections are scheduled for ensuing December or January which are worst polluted months and Kejriwal government has started a letter game on pollution issue just to create ready excuses for the election days,” he said.

Environment min Gopal Rai seeks inputs from BJP, Congress to tackle air pollution

Environment minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday wrote to the presidents of Delhi units of the BJP and Congress, requesting “positive suggestions” to help reduce the city’s pollution for incorporation into the Winter Action Plan. “We request you that if you have any positive suggestions on the above three points which will help in reducing the pollution of Delhi, please send those to us soon so that we can include them in the action plan. We aim to reduce the pollution of Delhi,” read Rai’s letter. The minister said the government is preparing the winter action plan with focus on three crucial points: state-level actions, cooperation with neighboring states, and collaboration with the Centre to reduce winter air pollution, adding, pollution can only be reduced with everyone’s cooperation. Rai cited a report of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) which says only 31% of the pollution in the capital is caused locally while the rest comes from NCR. “The Delhi government is actively reducing air pollution through long- and short-term plans, including successful summer and winter Action Plans in collaboration with all departments. Due to measures taken by the Delhi government, pollution has decreased by about 30% over the last nine years, even as it rises in other cities in the country,” the minister said. Criticising the move, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said its surprising that the AAP government is suddenly trying to set up communication with the opposition on the pollution issue, adding that the environment minister has tried to mislead people by misrepresenting facts. “Such letters seeking political cooperation should have come in 2015-16; not when it’s time for the government to tell people why it has failed them.

Rai seeks suggestions from BJP, Congress on Delhi pollution

(UNI) Delhi Environment Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Gopal Rai on Tuesday requested suggestions on reducing pollution in the National Capital from the presidents of Delhi BJP and Congress for incorporation into the Winter Action Plan. In a letter to Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva and Delhi Congress President Devendra Yadav, Rai highlighted, “The pollution in Delhi has decreased by about 30% over the last nine years, even as it rises in other cities across the country.” Emphasising that pollution can be reduced only with everyone's cooperation, not by opposition, the Minister said, “Delhi government preparing the Winter Action Plan focused on three key points that are actions by Delhi, cooperation with neighbouring states, and collaboration with the central government to reduce winter pollution.” He further mentioned the Centre for Science and Environment report

कांग्रेस और BJP से भी मांगे सुझाव... केजरीवाल के मंत्री ऐसा क्या प्लान बना रहे हैं?

नई दिल्ली: पर्यावरण मंत्री गोपाल राय ने मंगलवार को कांग्रेस और बीजेपी के प्रदेश अध्यक्षों को पत्र लिखकर कहा है कि वह विंटर एक्शन प्लान के लिए अपने सुझाव दें। विंटर एक्शन प्लान का मकसद प्रदूषण को कम करना है। उनके सुझावों को भी विंटर एक्शन प्लान में शामिल करने की बात उन्होंने कही। गोपाल राय ने मंगलवार को बीजेपी के प्रदेश अध्यक्ष वीरेंद्र सचदेवा और दिल्ली कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष देवेंद्र यादव को पत्र लिखा है। इसमें उन्होंने विस्तार से बताया कि अब तक आम आदमी पार्टी ने प्रदूषण को कम करने के लिए क्या कदम उठाए हैं। इस पत्र के साथ उन्होंने सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (सीएसई) की रिपोर्ट भी लगाई है। इस रिपोर्ट में दावा किया गया है कि राजधानी में जो प्रदूषण है, उसमें सिर्फ 31 प्रतिशत हिस्सेदारी दिल्ली की है। बाकी प्रदूषण पड़ोसी राज्यों से आ रहा है। उन्होंने आगे लिखा है कि प्रदूषण को सबके सहयोग से ही कम किया जा सकता है। विरोध से इस समस्या का समाधान नहीं निकलेगा। दिल्ली सरकार ने दिल्ली में प्रदूषण कम करने के लिए कई बड़े कदम उठाए हैं। इनका असर दिख भी रहा है। विंटर एक्शन प्लान के खास तीन पॉइंट उन्होंने आगे कहा कि इस समय विभिन्न विभागों के साथ मिलकर दिल्ली सरकार आगामी सर्दियों के लिए विंटर एक्शन प्लान तैयार कर रही है। विंटर एक्शन प्लान आमतौर पर तीन पॉइंट पर आधारित होता है। इसमें पहला कदम दिल्ली सरकार, दूसरा कदम पड़ोसी राज्यों का सहयोगा और तीसरा कदम केंद्र सरकार का सहयोग शामिल है। उन्होंने आगे कहा कि हम आपसे अपील करते हैं कि इन तीन पॉइंट्स को ध्यान में रखते हुए दिल्ली के प्रदूषण को कम करने के लिए आप अपने सुझाव दें। इन सुझावों को आप जल्द से जल्द दें, ताकि हम उन्हें एक्शन प्लान में शामिल कर सकें। हमारा लक्ष्य दिल्ली से प्रदूषण को कम करना है।

Only 15% of Gurgaon’s waste is sorted at source now, MCG tells NGT

GURGAON: Only 15% of the total waste generated in the city every day is segregated at source, MCG has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The civic corporation has also told the green panel it would need time till Dec next year to achieve 100% segregation at source. In an affidavit to NGT — which was hearing a case related to clearing of legacy waste at Bandhwari — the corporation said it planned to increase the segregation level to 30% this year. MCG told the NGT that over the next few months, it planned to focus on bulk waste generators to ensure segregation at source. It said eight officials had been assigned the task of monitoring bulk generators and ensuring the waste they generate is sorted at source. "We have informed NGT that we intend to attain complete waste segregation by the end of 2025," said municipal commissioner Narhari Singh Banger. He sought the cooperation of residents to ensure waste was already sorted by the time it was handed to pick-up workers. "The success of this waste management plan relies heavily on the active participation of the community. Residents must take responsibility for segregating waste at home. In return, MCG will develop necessary infrastructure to efficiently collect and process the segregated waste. By working together, the residents and MCG can achieve the target of 100% waste segregation within the stipulated timeline," Banger added. Atin Biswas, programme director (municipal solid waste) at Centre for Science and Environment, said even if trash was segregated at source, it was crucial for MCG to have the required infrastructure to collect it. "To encourage segregation, it is essential to invest in behavioural change campaigns — similar to those implemented in Indore, Odisha, and other states and cities. Even if residents respond positively to segregation initiatives, a fleet of vehicles specifically designed for waste collection must be available. But just having these vehicles is not enough. There must be facilities to treat different waste streams — such as composting facilities, bio-methanation plants, and material recovery units. Currently, Gurgaon appears to lack the necessary infrastructure to handle these waste streams effectively. There must be a sustained behavioural change campaign so that people start segregating waste. The authorities can then use bylaws to intensify segregation," he added. The corporation has reiterated its plans to clear the legacy waste at Bandhwari by the end of this year. The civic body, officials said, intends to process 12 lakh tonne of waste by reaching a daily processing capacity of 10,990 tonne. According to the affidavit, 2.5 lakh tonne of solid waste is expected to be dumped between Aug 30 and Dec this year. The landfill already has 9.6 lakh tonne of waste lying there. "The answer to achieving waste segregation at source is capacity building. Agencies must ensure that the workforce engaged in waste handling are trained so that only segregated trash is collected and it's not mixed with other piles of garbage. Capacity building is the first and foremost step to achieving this target of segregation," said Saurav Bardhan, a resident of Sector 65.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai Seeks "Positive Suggestions" from BJP, Congress to tackle pollution

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday wrote to Delhi state unit presidents of Congress and BJP, seeking positive suggestions for incorporation into the Winter Action Plan aimed at reducing pollution in Delhi. In the letter to Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Virendra Sachdeva and Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav, Rai highlighted the various initiatives taken by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to address the issue. Rai stated in his letter that Delhi has seen a reduction of approximately 30% in pollution over the past nine years. "The Delhi government has taken numerous stringent steps to reduce air pollution, leading to an increase in the number of good, satisfactory, and moderate air quality days. In 2016, there were 110 such days, which increased to 206 in 2023. The concentrations of pollutants measured by PM 2.5 and PM 10 have also decreased. In 2014, the average annual PM 10 level in Delhi was 324, which dropped to 219 by 2023," Rai said in his letter. While citing the data of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), he said, "CPCB conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) indicates that pollution levels in Delhi have decreased by 45% from 2012-14 to 2021-23.". He noted that the Delhi government has been continuously working on both long-term and short-term plans to reduce air pollution. He pointed to the efforts of the Delhi government in reducing the pollution from vehicles. "The government has successfully reduced pollution by implementing the 'Summer Action Plan' and 'Winter Action Plan' in collaboration with all relevant departments. Today, under the EV policy, approximately 13-16% of private vehicles purchased in Delhi are electric. Delhi is the first state in the country to introduce nearly 2,000 electric buses to reduce vehicle emissions. By deploying electric buses, the government has reduced vehicle-related pollution. Additionally, by guaranteeing 24-hour electricity, we have eliminated generator smoke from within Delhi," the letter read. Further revealing about the government's plan, he said, "The Delhi government is prepared to undertake artificial rainfall measures to address the pollution crisis."He urged both leaders to give positive suggestions to address the pollution problem. "We request you to promptly provide any positive suggestions you may have regarding the above three points that could help in reducing pollution in Delhi. Your feedback will be included in the action plan. Our objective is to reduce pollution in Delhi," Rai's letter read. (ANI)

Delhi minister Gopal Rai seeks 'positive suggestions' from BJP, Cong to tackle pollution

New Delhi: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday wrote to state unit presidents of Congress and BJP, requesting any "positive suggestions" for incorporation into the Winter Action Plan to reduce pollution levels in the national capital. In the letter to Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva and Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav, Rai also cited the various initiatives taken by the AAP dispensation to solve the pollution problem. He cited a report of the Centre for Science and Environment which states that only 31 per cent of the pollution that the people of Delhi have to face is contributed by the residents while the rest comes from NCR states. "Pollution can be reduced only with everyone's cooperation, not through opposition. Arvind Kejriwal's government in Delhi has taken many big steps to reduce pollution, their effect is also visible," Rai said in the letter. He said the Delhi government is preparing to prepare a winter action plan in collaboration with all concerned departments. "The winter action plan will be mainly based on three points. First, the steps to be taken by the Delhi Government, second, getting cooperation from the neighbouring states and third, working together with the Central Government so that pollution can be effectively reduced in Delhi even in winter. "We request you that if you have any positive suggestions on the above three points which will help in reducing the pollution of Delhi, please send those to us soon so that we can include them in the action plan. We aim to reduce the pollution of Delhi," read Rai's letter. Reacting to Rai's letter, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor took to X to say in Hindi, "There has to be a limit to drama Mr @AapKaGopalRai. You write letters to everyone, write a letter and meet CM @BhagwantMann of Punjab, the state most guilty of stubble burning. Tell us what are you both doing to stop stubble burning."

Breathless in Big Cities: Towards Net Zero

"Explore the pressing issue of air quality in urban India at the ABP Live India Infrastructure Conclave 2024. In this session, 'Breathless in Big Cities: Towards Net Zero,' Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director of the Centre for Science and Environment, delves into the challenges and solutions for achieving cleaner air in our cities. Learn about the path towards net-zero emissions and the policies and innovations required to combat urban air pollution. Don't miss this essential conversation on building a sustainable future for India's cities!"

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai Seeks "Positive Suggestions" from BJP, Congress to tackle pollution Read more At: https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/delhi-environment-minister-gopal-rai-seeks-positive-suggestions-from-bjp-congress-to-

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai Seeks "Positive Suggestions" from BJP, Congress to tackle pollution Read more At: https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/delhi-environment-minister-gopal-rai-seeks-positive-suggestions-from-bjp-congress-to-tackle-pollution20240903222006/

Wayanad tragedy: Who is responsible for the heart-breaking landslides?

Who and what is responsible for the heart-breaking landslides that hit Wayanad district and took so many lives? The question is important even as weeks have passed and our attention has shifted to other devastating disasters. I have explained in previous writings how climate change plays a role in such not so natural disasters but not entirely. This already vulnerable region of the Western Ghats had been made more prone to disasters because of human activities. But then the other question, which frankly haunts me, is: Why do people who live in these fragile regions end up opposing conservation efforts? They know that they are cutting that proverbial tree branch that they are sitting on! So, what can be done? Let’s first understand the developmental activities in Wayanad. My colleagues at Down To Earth, Rohini Krishnamurthy and Pulaha Roy, have investigated this and found that this disaster was waiting to happen. The landslide occurred near Mundakkai, a ward of Vellerimala village. I am pointing this out because this village was identified as an ecologically sensitive area in the 2013 report by the K Kasturirangan committee. I was a member of this committee, set up by the Union environment ministry to come up with an “all-round and holistic approach for sustainable and equitable development” for the Western Ghats. It recommended that all such villages where over 20 per cent of the area was ecologically sensitive should have strict controls on developmental activities that would make the area more vulnerable. This is why it recommended against allowing destructive activities, in particular mining and stone quarries, in these areas. In November 2013, the ministry accepted this report and issued a directive under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, demarcating a large area (60,000 square km) as ecologically sensitive and banning certain activities, including mining and stone quarrying. However, Kerala asked for an amendment, citing the finding of its own committee, which had argued that an entire village could not be demarcated as ecologically sensitive because it had other activities that should not be stopped. Now look at the implications of this. Pulaha superimposed the satellite imagery of quarrying sites in Wayanad on the map of the 13 villages identified by the Kasturirangan report for protection as ecologically sensitive areas. He found 15 quarrying sites across these 13 villages. One village, Noolpuzha, has six quarrying sites, all in the area demarcated as “forest”. And it gets worse. Rohini found, to her horror, that in 2017, Kerala amended its minor mineral concession rules and permitted the use of explosives anywhere beyond 50 metres of a residential building or in forest land or hill slopes. This literally means blasting in one’s backyard and creating conditions to destablise the hills. Why are we then surprised that when extreme rain hits the region, it leaves behind this scale of devastation? The Wayanad landslide is a human-made disaster. The question is: What do we do? In these areas, people are against protection as laid down first by the Madhav Gadgil committee and then the Kasturirangan committee. I saw this when I travelled through the region. People were out on the streets, shouting slogans against policies that would promote conservation. You may argue that they are swayed by vested interests. But the fact is, they believed that if the region was declared “ecologically sensitive”, governments would take over their plantations; there would be restrictions on the way they practised agriculture. It was partly because of the way we have done conservation through fiats and committees, but also because banning certain activities like quarrying would mean loss of livelihoods for them. We must keep these in mind while drafting our future policies. We have to change the way we manage our environment because of climate risks, and if we want to succeed in this, we will have to change the way we practise conservation. Currently, it is about what cannot be done — it is based on the premise that people are the biotic pressure and so activities detrimental to the ecology must be banned. This may be right, but it is also a fact that in India, our forests and other ecologically sensitive areas are the habitats of people — not just wilderness areas. To protect these areas, we need conservation that is inclusive and provides communities with tangible incentives to be partners in the efforts. This is why the Kasturirangan report recommended a green-growth package for villages demarcated as ecologically sensitive — from debt for nature swaps to payment of ecological services where trees could not be cut or destructive development needed to be banned. People would get paid for conservation. But it is also important that we evolve development strategies built on green livelihoods — from sustainable plantations of coffee or tea to eco-tourism. We need to learn how to do conservation in people’s lands and with their involvement. In this age of climate change, the lessons from Wayanad are clear: Learn and change, or perish. The writer is at the Centre for Science and Environment sunita@cseindia.org, X: @sunitanar

It’s been 5 years of the National Clean Air Programme. This is why it hasn’t worked

A new report by the Centre for Science and Environment revealed that funds for the National Clean Air Programme were overwhelmingly directed to dust management. The number of cities reporting hazardous levels of air pollution is increasing, pointing to the need to focus on combustion sources from industrial activity, waste burning, and transportation. Determining progress under the programme is conflicted by multiple metrics and ranking systems which are not aligned. When the National Clean Air Programme was launched in 2019, it set high ambitions and targets for some of India’s most polluted cities: To reduce air pollution concentrations, scale up air pollution monitoring and forecasting, and conduct pollution source apportionment studies. But five years later, not only are cities behind in meeting their targets, but also most measures to reduce air pollution have ignored major polluters responsible for causing toxic emissions, year round. A new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) revealed that funds under the programme were overwhelmingly spent on actions amounting to dust management: paving roads, covering potholes, and deploying mechanical sweepers and water sprinklers. Less than one percent was spent on controlling toxic emissions from industry, and around 40% of funds out of Rs. 10,566.47 crores are unused. “It means there’s no strong intent to deal with the problem,” said Jyoti Pande Lavakare, author of the book Breathing Here is Injurious to Your Health and co-founder of Care for Air, a non-profit that works on awareness about air pollution. “Spending money on mere mitigation via dust management and not actually reducing emissions at source by taking strict action against polluters who violate air pollution norms with impunity, means there’s no sincere effort to reduce pollution. The dust is back in the air within hours; a total waste of public money, just like smog towers,” she said. The 131 cities currently covered by NCAP were selected as they did not meet national air quality standards consecutively for five-years between 2011-2015. Five years later, most cities have failed to meet the NCAP’s target of reducing air pollution concentrations by 20-30% compared to 2017 levels. In fact, most gains in reducing air pollution from 2014-2021 came from gusty winds and other meteorological factors, a recent study found.