NCAP 2.0 must focus on industrial reform to ensure cities have clean air

Nearly 37 per cent of India’s most polluted cities are flanked by large industries such as thermal power plants (TPPs), smelters, and manufacturing units. Industries are the main polluters in 20 per cent of these cities, and over 80 per cent host small-scale industries within city limits. Many are located in peri-urban areas, outside the jurisdiction of urban local bodies, making regulation difficult.

Yet, only 0.6 per cent of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and Fifteenth Finance Commission funds are allocated to control industrial emissions. Although the issue is widely known, only a few states, such as Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, are actively pursuing airshed-level management.

Although it is widely agreed that industries must bear the costs of technological upgrades to reduce emissions, local governments and pollution control boards cannot merely shift the burden to industries without providing support. There needs to be a collaborative approach where cities, industries, and regulatory bodies work together to achieve the common goal of cleaner air.

Cleaner industrial air benefits not only health but also the economy. Reduced hospital visits, improved labour productivity, and job creation in clean technology sectors justify the investment.

With NCAP 2.0 on the horizon, it’s time to move beyond tokenism. Only an integrated, well-funded strategy covering large industries, MSMEs, and informal industries can deliver breathable air to Indian cities.

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