A Significant Leap: Noida’s Air Quality Improvement Recognized

In a notable achievement, Noida has surged 18 positions in just a year to secure the 6th place in the National Clean Air Programme’s (NCAP) Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan rankings. The rankings, released by the Union Environment Ministry on Saturday, spotlight Noida’s strides in enhancing air quality and reducing pollution.

Officials Weigh In: Progress and Challenges

Pollution control officials are optimistic about the results. Utsav Sharma, Regional Officer of the UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), remarked on the city’s improving air quality. However, he also highlighted ongoing challenges: “We need to tackle dust from roads and construction sites, and resolve traffic bottlenecks to further lower pollution levels.”

Scoring and Comparisons: Noida’s Standing Among Peers

In its population category, Noida achieved an impressive score of 187.8 out of 200, placing it 6th among 43 cities assessed. Firozabad led the rankings, with Amravati, Jhansi, Gorakhpur, and Navi Mumbai following. At the lower end, Jammu, Alwar, and Jalandhar were the least performing cities.

Funding Utilization: A Mixed Picture

Despite the positive ranking, data reveals that Noida has utilized only 6% of the Rs 21.9 crore allocated by the central government since 2019 for air pollution mitigation. SP Singh, General Manager (Public Health) of Noida Authority, explained that the funds are being used to purchase necessary machinery, with procurement processes taking time.

Reduction in Pollution: A Look at the Numbers

Noida has made headway in reducing particulate matter (PM10), with a 20% decrease from 229 µg/m³ in 2017-18 to 182 µg/m³ in 2023-24. This progress reflects improved air quality, although challenges remain.

Activists Weigh In: Progress and Areas for Improvement

Environmentalists acknowledge Noida’s advancements but stress that more work is needed. Vikrant Tongad, a local activist, noted that despite improvements, Noida was ranked 5th among India’s 20 most polluted cities earlier this year for PM2.5 and PM10 levels.

Stay tuned as we continue to follow Noida’s journey towards cleaner air.