CPCB directs 130 cities to submit PM10 improvement plans by October 25

It matters to citizens as it outlines directives for 130 non-attainment cities to improve air quality, utilize allocated funds, and submit action plans to address poor PM10 reduction performance.

Who it concerns: The document concerns the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs), and representatives from 130 non-attainment cities across India.

What the document says

• Cities with low performance were directed to submit the underlying causes of poor performance and planned strategies to combat them by October 25, 2024.
• All 130 cities were ordered to upload complete information and data on the PRANA portal, including Annual Action Plans, Physical & Financial Progress, and Convergence details, by October 25, 2024.
• Cities were directed to expedite the utilization of funds for activities as per the City Action Plan and generate Utilization Certificates (UC) in the Finance Module of PRANA.
• Cities were instructed to submit Saturation plans as directed by the MoEF&CC.
• Cities were directed to avoid utilizing funds for activities that have no impact on air quality improvement.
• Cities were ordered to expedite the submission of peer-reviewed reports of source apportionment (SA) and emission inventory (EI) studies and refine city action plans based on these findings.

Also in the document

• The Chairman, CPCB, emphasized focusing on cities showing poor performance in achieving PM10 reduction targets and fund utilization.
• The meeting highlighted cities where improvement in PM10 concentration levels was less than 20% or showed no improvement in FY23-24 compared to FY17-18 levels.
• The Member Secretary, CPCB, requested the implementation of city action plans at the ground level and the expediting of hotspot action plan submissions.