Advisory in, but poor AQI in city may scuttle grant under NCAP

Ludhiana: Even though civic officials are still waiting for funds under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and 15th finance commission, they have received an advisory. However, pollution caused by bursting of crackers and stubble burning has left civic officials worried as AQI is not up to the mark.

Guidelines have been issued for utilisation of NCAP funds during fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26. These include dust control during road improvement work, greening of open areas and traffic corridors, taking air pollution control measures in crematoriums with the use of clean fuels, installation of air pollution control devices, establishment of Integrated Traffic Management System at major junctions and installation of EV charging stations.

NCAP funds can be utilised for any of the abovementioned five activities. In case funds are to be used for any activity other than these activities, a proposal may be submitted to the Centre. The MC has also been asked to use balance NCAP funds (excluding committed expenditure) of previous years for these activities. If needed, funds available from other resources may also be utilised. Besides, officials have been asked to select plants which can absorb dust. The civic body recently requested the Centre to issue a Rs 54 crore grant to them, saying that PM levels had shown improvement after work on construction of the elevated road came to an end.

However, with smog enveloping the city, officials expressed doubts about the possibility of receiving the grant. MC superintending engineer Sanjay Kanwar said, “We have received fresh guidelines for selection of development works to be taken up under NCAP and we will check what can be done in this regard.”

From 2020 till 2023, Ludhiana got Rs 91.75 crore under the 15th Finance Commission. MC utilised Rs 83.48 crore for air quality improvement initiatives.

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