Pollution rises while funds gather dust
Business Standard|December 02, 2024
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in 2019 to improve air quality in 131 cities, has shown limited progress as rising pollution levels and underutilisation of funds raise concerns about its effectiveness.
NITIN KUMAR
Pollution rises while funds gather dust

While 18 cities achieved their PM10 (particulate matter 10 microns or less in diameter) reduction target of meeting the 60 micrograms per cubic metre of air threshold by 2023-24 (FY24), data from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) reveals that 30 cities recorded an increase in PM10 levels compared to 2017-18 (FY18), indicating deteriorating air quality.

The NCAP set a goal of reducing PM10 levels by 40 per cent or achieving the national standard of 60 micrograms per cubic metre by 2025-26 across "non-attainment cities and million-plus cities" in 24 states. However, MoEFCC data shows that while 18 cities have met the PM10 threshold, five of them already had a PM10 concentration below 60 micrograms per cubic metre in FY18.

This story is from the December 02, 2024 edition of Business Standard.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 02, 2024 edition of Business Standard.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BUSINESS STANDARDView All
Business Standard

EAM: Committed to fair plan on boundary issue with China

India remains committed to engaging with China to arrive at a fair and mutually acceptable framework for boundary settlement.

time-read
1 min  |
December 04, 2024
Business Standard

Buy on dips, temper return expectations after strong runup

Goldman Sachs expects gold to reach $3,150 per ounce in the international market by December 2025, up around 19.1 percent from its current level of $2,645, according to a recent report in Business Standard.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 04, 2024
Business Standard

Sebi directs Trafiksol to refund investors' money within a week

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Tuesday directed Trafiksol ITS Technologies to refund the money paid by investors who had been allotted shares in the initial public offering (IPO).

time-read
1 min  |
December 04, 2024
APSEZ to ride volume, market-share wave
Business Standard

APSEZ to ride volume, market-share wave

Port operator aims to double its volumes to 1 billion tonnes by 2029

time-read
2 mins  |
December 04, 2024
Business Standard

Godrej Properties raises ₹6K cr via QIP

Godrej Properties has raised ₹6,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement (QIP), making it the largest such fundraise by a real estate company in India.

time-read
1 min  |
December 04, 2024
Business Standard

SBI MF launches multi-factor quant fund

SBI Mutual Fund (MF) on Tuesday announced the launch of SBI Quant Fund, which will take a multi-factor investment approach to allocate across the four 'style' baskets, which are momentum, value, quality, and growth.

time-read
1 min  |
December 04, 2024
Business Standard

Sebi for online monitoring of stockbrokers' system audit

Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Tuesday proposed online monitoring of stockbrokers' system audit by the stock exchanges.

time-read
1 min  |
December 04, 2024
Better execution needed to justify valuation for NTPC Green Energy
Business Standard

Better execution needed to justify valuation for NTPC Green Energy

NTPC Green Energy (NGEL) has gained over 30 per cent since its initial public offering (IPO) was launched at ₹108 a few days ago.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 04, 2024
Markets extend winning streak to 3rd day
Business Standard

Markets extend winning streak to 3rd day

The benchmark Sensex and the Nifty rose for a third straight trading session on Tuesday—the longest gaining streak since September—buoyed by gains in HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries, the two highest-weighted stocks.

time-read
1 min  |
December 04, 2024
India's mcap-to-GDP ratio third-highest despite correction
Business Standard

India's mcap-to-GDP ratio third-highest despite correction

The ratio of market capitalisation to gross domestic product (GDP) in India remains elevated despite the recent correction in the equities markets.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 04, 2024