Less Than a Third of Cities Met PM10 Target

Fewer than one-third of India's most polluted cities have met their 2024 air quality improvement targets when it comes to reducing dust, raising doubts about the nation's ability to achieve its broader clean air goals, according to a new report released on Thursday.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) found that just 41 of 131 non-attainment cities achieved their mandated 20-30% reduction in PM10 pollution levels under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

The analysis did not include PM 2.5, the finer particulate that is emitted as smoke and gases from vehicles and burning of any kind. The Centre did not specify why it chose PM10 as the focus parameter of NCAP.