National Clean Air Programme
India's Air Quality Crisis: Experts Call for Science-Based Standards as WHO Guidelines Remain Unimplemented
Dec 12, 2025 07:43 am CST
India faces severe air pollution with 13 of the world's 20 most polluted cities located within its borders. While the government maintains WHO air quality guidelines are merely advisory and defends its 16-year-old standards based on local factors, environmental experts emphasize the urgent need to align policies with health-based science as pollution continues to claim millions of lives annually and significantly reduces life expectancy across the nation.
India Maintains Own Air Quality Standards: Government Rejects Global Rankings as Unofficial
Dec 11, 2025 09:00 pm CST
India's government has clarified that it follows its own National Ambient Air Quality Standards rather than international rankings, which it considers unofficial. Environment Minister highlighted significant improvements in Delhi's air quality with "Good to Moderate" days increasing from 110 in 2016 to 200 in 2025, while farm fires have decreased by 90% compared to 2022. The country maintains PM2.5 standards at 60 μg/m³ (24-hour) and 40 μg/m³ (annual), considerably higher than WHO's recommended 15 μg/m³ and 5 μg/m³ respectively.
Delhi Air Pollution Crisis: Minister Highlights Central Oversight While Questions on Local Fund Utilization Remain Unanswered
Dec 01, 2025 08:40 pm CST
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav informed Parliament about monitoring mechanisms for Delhi's air pollution crisis while avoiding direct comments on the Delhi government's utilization of Rs 1,200-crore clean air funds. The minister highlighted 95 directives from the Commission for Air Quality Management and cited improvements in air quality metrics, even as Delhi continues facing "Very Poor" to "Severe" air quality conditions this winter.
Indian Cities Record Decade of Unsafe Air Quality Levels Despite National Clean Air Programme
Nov 28, 2025 11:08 pm CST
A comprehensive ten-year analysis reveals that no major Indian city has achieved safe air quality levels since 2015, with even Bengaluru consistently exceeding safe thresholds. Delhi remains the most polluted metropolis despite various interventions, while local pollution sources now outweigh seasonal factors across urban India, creating serious health risks for millions of outdoor workers.
Delhi Civic Body Leaves Rs 29 Crore Clean Air Funds Unspent Amid Worsening Air Pollution Crisis
Nov 14, 2025 07:33 pm CST
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has failed to utilize over Rs 28.77 crore from National Clean Air Programme funds over two years while the city continues to experience hazardous air pollution levels. Despite receiving additional allocations, implementation of critical air quality interventions remains ineffective as Delhi's AQI repeatedly reaches severe levels, endangering public health.