As per a new report, Mumbai is expected to get a big grant from the Central Government to combat pollution in the city. The city is expected to get Rs 488 crore out of the Rs 4,400 crore earmarked for the Urban Development Ministry to combat pollution. While the most polluted city in the country, Delhi, hasn’t received such a grant, it will continue to receive support from the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as well as assistance from the Agriculture Ministry to combat stubble-burning which is said to be one of the biggest causes of pollution in the city.
The Government of India set aside the aforementioned funds as part of its 2020-21 budget to effectively combat pollution and improve air quality in states with a population of more than a million. It is said that a total of 42 out of 50 cities with a population of more than a million will be eligible for a chunk of the Rs 4,400 crore allotted by the central government.
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Following Mumbai, Kolkata will receive the second-highest grant to combat air pollution with Rs 385 crore said to be earmarked for the city. Bengaluru and Hyderabad will receive Rs 279 crore and Rs 234 crore, it is said. Patna rounds off the top 5 list with Rs 204 crore kept aside to improve the quality of breathable air in the city.
These funds will not automatically make their way to the cities, however. The Urban Development Ministry has specified that funds will be forwarded based on each city’s performance with regard to improving air quality. It is said that an analysis will be conducted on a yearly basis.
The authorities added that they will soon come up with a benchmark to monitor the annual progress made by the chosen cities. This could be done by measuring both the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations of the cities in January 2021 and comparing them with the current figures.