Chennai Despite its inclusion in the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) launched in 2019, Chennai has registered only a modest 12 per cent reduction in PM10 levels between 2017-18 and 2024-25. This incremental progress positions the city far behind other major Indian metropolises like Mumbai and Kolkata in achieving ambitious pollution reduction targets. The data, recently presented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, underscores a persistent challenge in ensuring healthy air for a rapidly urbanising Chennai, a critical component of building truly eco-friendly and equitable urban centres.
The city’s annual average PM10 concentration has decreased from 66 µg/m3 in 2017-18 to 58 µg/m3 in 2024-25, bringing it marginally below the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 60 µg/m3. However, this achievement masks a significant disparity when compared to other leading cities. Mumbai, for instance, recorded an impressive 44 per cent drop, while Kolkata saw a 37 per cent reduction. Even Delhi, despite its notorious air quality challenges, managed a 15.8 per cent decrease. Experts contend that Chennai’s progress is insufficient, given the escalating pressures of urbanisation, increasing traffic congestion, and widespread construction activities that continue to generate substantial particulate matter.
Also Watch: “Mumbai will rock, shine and always be India’s best city to live.” In an exclusive, MHADA CEO Sanjeev Jaiswal (IAS) talks about Mumbai’s enduring charm, livability, and the government’s focus on making it affordable for all
Medical professionals are vocal about the tangible health impacts despite the marginal improvement. A senior pulmonologist at a prominent government hospital highlighted that respiratory cases continue to rise in urban centres like Chennai, suggesting that the official figures, while seemingly acceptable on paper, do not fully capture the ground reality of public health challenges. This human cost underscores the urgent need for more aggressive and effective pollution control measures that prioritize citizen well-being and health equity.
Under the NCAP, Chennai developed a comprehensive Clean Air Action Plan targeting key sources such as vehicular emissions, road and soil dust, construction activity, and industrial pollutants. Directives were issued to implement dust mitigation measures and strictly enforce regulations against open waste burning. However, the efficacy of these measures has been hampered by patchy enforcement, leading to persistent citizen complaints regarding unregulated construction dust and the pervasive practice of garbage burning. This highlights the gap between policy formulation and on-ground implementation, a critical barrier to achieving a zero-net-carbon urban environment.
Financially, Tamil Nadu has demonstrated a relatively efficient utilisation of allocated funds under NCAP and the 15th Finance Commission grants, utilising Rs 537.35 crore out of Rs 652.24 crore received between 2019-20 and 2025-26, an 82.4 per cent utilisation rate. This contrasts sharply with some other states, including Delhi, which showed significantly lower fund utilisation. Yet, Chennai’s overall performance lags behind other Indian cities. Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu achieved a remarkable 54.5 per cent reduction in PM10 levels, while Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh) led nationally with a 76.8 per cent reduction. These comparisons indicate that while funding is being deployed, the strategic impact on air quality in Chennai needs substantial re-evaluation and targeted enhancement.
As the government sets a more ambitious national goal to reduce the Air Quality Index (AQI) to below 50 in the next five years, environmental activists and health experts are urging Chennai to accelerate its local interventions. Dr S Vishvaja, a doctor-turned-activist, emphasised the need for comprehensive actions: “From switching to electric buses to addressing unpaved roads, enforcing construction norms, and ensuring emission compliance from industries, the city has to push harder.” Achieving truly sustainable and healthy urban spaces demands a holistic and unrelenting commitment to cleaner air, integrating eco-friendly practices into every facet of urban planning and development. The collective responsibility of policy-makers, industry, and citizens is paramount in transforming Chennai into a beacon of clean urban living.
Also Read: Air India Flight AI 2744 Skids Off Mumbai Runway Amid Rain Today
