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India's Clean Air Efforts Show Progress, Officials Emphasize Shared Responsibility
Clean air is important for everyone, not just something special or expensive.
Justice Prakash Shrivastava said air pollution can cross political borders.
He said development and protecting nature can happen together.
He also urged citizens, local governments and technology experts to help reduce pollution.
The Environment Ministry said it is using a coordinated and scientific plan.
The National Clean Air Programme covers 130 cities.
In 2025-26, 108 cities lowered their PM10 pollution compared with 2017-18.
Officials also recognized successful cities and shared ideas for improving air quality.
National Green Tribunal Chairperson Justice (Retired) Prakash Shrivastava called clean air a fundamental need, not a luxury.
The Environment Ministry marked Swachh Vayu Diwas 2026 and the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in New Delhi.
Officials said development and environmental conservation can proceed together while protecting citizens’ quality of life.
Under the National Clean Air Programme, 108 of 130 cities improved their PM10 levels in 2025-26 compared with 2017-18.
The ministry honored high-performing cities and wards and released a compendium of air-quality management practices.
- Who
- National Green Tribunal Chairperson Justice (Retired) Prakash Shrivastava, Environment Secretary Tanmay Kumar and the Union Environment Ministry.
- What
- Officials marked Swachh Vayu Diwas 2026, discussed air-pollution control and honored high-performing cities and wards.
- Where
- New Delhi.
- When
- Monday, during the observance of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies and Swachh Vayu Diwas 2026.
- Why
- To promote cleaner air, review progress under the National Clean Air Programme and share effective pollution-control practices.
Key facts
- Programme
- National Clean Air Programme
- Cities covered
- 130 cities
- Cities with improved PM10 levels
- 108 cities in 2025-26 compared with FY 2017-18
- Cities reducing PM10 by over 20%
- 72 cities
- Cities reducing PM10 by over 40%
- 26 cities
- Cities meeting national standards
- 14 cities met National Ambient Air Quality Standards
- Monitoring portal
- The PRANA portal tracks air-quality management parameters for NCAP cities
Quotes
Justice (Retired) Prakash Shrivastava
Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal
“It is essential that local bodies strive for prevention of pollution generation at source by making citizens aware; adopt latest technologies to tackle the issue; and engage in an all-inclusive and 'Whole of Society' approach to address the issue.”
thehansindia.com
“Development and environmental conservation are not at cross purposes but can go together while maintaining the quality of life for citizens.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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