4.6k-cr needed for Delhi to meet its NCAP targets

Delhi will require over ₹4,500 crore in additional funds to meet its long-term targets under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), officials have said, even as the city struggles with underutilisation of funds and a slow pace of implementation.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

NEW DELHI: The goals include large-scale road redevelopment, enhanced dust-control measures, and the conversion of all biomass and wood-based crematoriums to cleaner fuels, among other interventions.

So far, Delhi has only spent a third—₹13.92 crore—of the ₹42.67 crore sanctioned to it under NCAP up to 2023-24. Another ₹36.21 crore, received in 2024-25, remains untouched. NCAP funds are released to states and for 131 non-attainment cities by the Union environment ministry. The Centre also releases funds for NCAP under the fifteenth finance commission as grants.

This poor utilisation, officials said, has held back critical projects such as mechanised road sweeping, installation of EV charging stations, and end-to-end road paving.