The recently released Swachh Vayu Survekshan (SVS) 2024 report by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change highlights critical issues in air pollution control across India's major cities. Despite significant financial support, many populous urban centers continue to struggle with improving air quality, a crucial aspect for environmental governance and sustainable development, directly relevant for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, particularly under GS Paper 3.
Key Details: Swachh Vayu Survekshan (SVS) 2024
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Report By | Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change |
| Total Cities Ranked | 130 |
| Primary Objectives | Awareness, health impact information, progress towards NCAP goal of "Clean air for all" |
| Evaluation Process | Self-assessments by Urban Local Bodies, reviewed by State Air Quality Monitoring Committees, final assessment by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) |
| Ranking Tool | PRANA dashboard (considering control measures across eight sectors) |
Understanding the Swachh Vayu Survekshan (SVS) 2024
The Swachh Vayu Survekshan (SVS), meaning Clean Air Study, is an initiative designed to assess and rank Indian cities based on their efforts to improve air quality. The 2024 report evaluated 130 cities with the core objectives of fostering public awareness about air pollution, informing citizens about its health impacts, and driving progress towards the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) goal of "Clean air for all."
Cities were categorized based on population for a more equitable comparison:
- Category 1: Cities with a population of over 10 lakh (47 cities)
- Category 2: Cities with a population of 3-10 lakh (43 cities)
- Category 3: Cities with a population under 3 lakh (40 cities)
The evaluation methodology involved a multi-stage process. Initially, urban local bodies conducted self-assessments, which were then reviewed by state-level Air Quality Monitoring Committees. The final assessment and ranking were performed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), utilizing data from the PRANA dashboard, which tracks control measures across eight key sectors impacting air quality.
SVS 2024 Ranking and Performance Outcomes
Despite substantial funding allocations, many of India's major cities demonstrated limited success in improving air quality according to the SVS 2024 report. Their rankings reflect the ongoing challenges in implementing effective pollution control measures.
Performance of Major Megacities
| City | Rank (Category 1) |
|---|---|
| Delhi | 11th |
| Bengaluru | 28th |
| Mumbai | 32nd |
| Kolkata | 41st |
| Chennai | 46th (Worst among major cities) |
Top Performing Cities Across Categories
In contrast to the megacities, several other cities excelled in their air quality improvement efforts:
- Category 1 (Population: 10 lakh +):
- 1st: Surat (Gujarat)
- 2nd: Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh)
- 3rd: Agra (Uttar Pradesh)
- Category 2 (Population: 3-10 lakh):
- 1st: Firozabad (Uttar Pradesh)
- 2nd: Amravati (Maharashtra)
- 3rd: Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh)
- Category 3 (Population: Under 3 lakh):
- 1st: Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh)
- 2nd: Nalgonda (Telangana)
- 3rd: Nalagarh (Himachal Pradesh)
Challenges Faced by Indian Megacities in Air Pollution Control
A significant challenge highlighted by the SVS 2024 report is the inefficient utilization of allocated funds. Out of the total Rs 11,211 crore, Rs 3,285 crore (approximately 30%) was allocated to six major cities. However, the average fund utilization across these cities stood at only about 60%.
For instance, Bengaluru recorded the lowest fund utilization at 22%, while Chennai achieved almost 100% utilization. Despite varying degrees of fund usage, the overall improvement in air quality in these megacities was minimal. Levels of PM10, a key particulate pollutant, even saw slight increases in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai, indicating persistent issues.
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in January 2019, represents India's long-term strategic framework to combat air pollution nationwide. Its ambitious target is to achieve a 20-30% reduction in both PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations by 2024, using 2017 as the baseline year.
The NCAP is built upon several key objectives aimed at creating a comprehensive approach to air quality management:
- Mitigation Measures: Enforcing stringent air pollution control measures across various sectors.
- Monitoring Network: Developing an extensive and reliable ambient air quality monitoring system to track pollution levels effectively.
- Public Awareness and Capacity Building: Promoting widespread public awareness and enhancing the institutional and technical infrastructure necessary for effective air pollution management.
Best Practices from Top Performing Cities
Cities that achieved high rankings in the SVS 2024 report implemented a range of innovative and effective air quality control measures. These practices offer valuable lessons for other urban centers struggling with pollution.
Key strategies included:
- End-to-End Road Paving: Significantly reducing road dust emissions, a major contributor to particulate matter.
- Mechanical Sweeping: Regular and efficient cleaning of roads to minimize dust accumulation.
- Bioremediation: Employing eco-friendly methods for managing legacy waste, thereby reducing emissions from landfills.
- Greenbelt Development: Expanding urban green cover through the creation of parks, gardens, and roadside plantations.
- Intelligent Traffic Management: Optimizing traffic flow and reducing congestion to minimize vehicular emissions.
- Miyawaki Forestation: Implementing a technique to create dense, fast-growing native forests in urban spaces, enhancing carbon sequestration and local air quality.
UPSC/State PCS Relevance
The Swachh Vayu Survekshan (SVS) 2024 report and the broader issue of air pollution control are highly relevant for the UPSC Civil Services Examination and various State PCS exams. This topic primarily falls under General Studies Paper 3 (GS Paper 3) – Environment and Ecology, specifically addressing environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment, and conservation.
Candidates should understand the objectives and outcomes of government initiatives like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), the role of bodies like the CPCB, and the challenges and best practices in urban environmental management. The report's findings can be used to analyze policy effectiveness, governance issues, and sustainable development strategies in Mains answers, while factual details are crucial for Prelims.
Prelims Practice Questions
- The study evaluated 130 cities based on self-assessment reports from urban local bodies.
- The evaluation process was finalized by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Swachh Vayu Survekshan (SVS) 2024 report?
The SVS 2024 report is an assessment by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change that ranks 130 Indian cities based on their efforts to improve air quality. It aims to raise awareness and drive progress towards the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) goals.
Which Indian megacities performed poorly in the SVS 2024 rankings?
Major megacities like Chennai (46th), Kolkata (41st), Mumbai (32nd), and Bengaluru (28th) showed limited improvement in air quality despite receiving substantial financial support. Delhi ranked 11th among major cities.
What is the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)?
Launched in January 2019, NCAP is a long-term national strategy to tackle air pollution. It targets a 20-30% reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations by 2024, focusing on mitigation, monitoring, and public awareness.
What were the key challenges faced by megacities in air pollution control?
Major challenges included low fund utilization (e.g., Bengaluru at 22%), despite significant allocations. This led to minimal improvements in air quality, with some cities even seeing slight increases in PM10 levels.
What are some best practices adopted by top-performing cities?
Top-performing cities implemented measures such as end-to-end road paving, mechanical sweeping, bioremediation of waste, extensive greenbelt development, intelligent traffic management, and Miyawaki forestation to improve air quality.
Source: LearnPro Editorial | Environmental Ecology | Published: 1 November 2024 | Last updated: 9 March 2026
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