National programme formed to tackle air pollution: Govt

The government has formulated a national clear air programme to tackle increasing air pollution across the country in a comprehensive manner, Parliament was informed today.
Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha said that the Centre has formulated the National Clear Air Programme (NCAP).
"The government has formulated the NCAP as a long term time-bound national level strategy to tackle the increasing air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner," he said.
The minister said that the objective is to augment and evolve an effective ambient air quality monitoring network across the country, besides ensuring a comprehensive management plan for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.

"The NCAP focuses on a collaborative and participatory approach comprising all sources of pollution and coordination between relevant central ministries, state governments, local bodies and other stakeholders," he said.
He said that the government has taken several steps to address air pollution which include notification of national ambient air quality standards, setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality among others.