CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The government has a dedicated National Clean Air Programme that aims for a 20% to 30% reduction in particulate matter concentrations by 2024 in 122 cities, keeping 2017 as the base year for the comparison of concentration.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Centre launched the NCAP in January 2019 to take up mitigation measures in 102 polluted cities, classified as ‘non-attainment cities’ as the levels of particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and PM10 breached the ceiling set by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

Detailed explanation-3: -The correct answer is 2019. National Clean Air Programme was launched by the Central Government in the year 2019. The programme was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It was directed by The National Green Tribunal.

Detailed explanation-4: -Recently, the Centre has set a new target of a 40% reduction in particulate matter concentration in cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) by 2026, updating the earlier goal of 20 to 30% reduction by 2024.

Detailed explanation-5: -Ghaziabad (217.57 micrograms per cubic metre) was the most polluted non-attainment city in the country in terms of PM10 levels, while Faridabad (215.39 micrograms per cubic metre) ranked second and Delhi (213.23 micrograms per cubic metre) stood third. In 2021, Ghaziabad was the most polluted with respect to PM2.