Context:

• According to a recent report analysing Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Delhi has topped the list of the 10 most polluted cities in the country from October 2022 to September 2023.
• Here the concentration of PM 2.5 per cubic metre was 100.01 micrograms, which is three times the safe limit set by the government.
• Patna remained second in the list during this period.

 About the report -

• The report is based on the government's analysis of PM 2.5 data from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, and focuses on cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme.

Background -

• It is noteworthy that the Central Government had launched ACAP on January 10, 2019 to reduce PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels by 20 to 30 percent in 102 cities by 2024 (with 2017 being the base year).
• In September 2022, the government set a new target of 40 percent reduction in particulate matter concentrations by 2026.

 Key points of the report -

• This report by the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) tracker also said that PM 2.5 pollution in the national capital has reduced by more than 7 percent in four years.
• From 108 micrograms per cubic meter in 2019 to 99.71 micrograms per cubic meter in 2022. However, it is still well below the desired level.

Top 3 cities with highest PM 2.5 -

• Delhi (99.71 micrograms per cubic meter)
• Faridabad of Haryana (95.64 micrograms per cubic meter)
• Ghaziabad of Uttar Pradesh (91.25 micrograms per cubic meter)

Top 3 cities with highest PM 10

• Ghaziabad (217.57 micrograms per cubic meter)
• Faridabad (215.39 micrograms per cubic meter)
• Delhi (213.23 micrograms per cubic meter)

 About PM 2.5 and PM 10 -

• The country's current annual average safe limits for PM 2.5 and PM 10 are 40 micrograms per cubic meter and 60 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively.

 Efforts made by govt to control air pollution -

• System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) Portal
• Air quality index
• Emphasis on Electric Vehicles (EV)
• Air Quality Management Commission

 Exam oriented Static facts

New Delhi

• Chief Minister: Arvind Kejriwal
• Deputy Governor: Vinay Kumar Saxena
• Union Territory: 1 November 1956