As India prepares to roll out the next phase of its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) experts warn that without decisive industrial reforms, cities will continue to choke on polluted air. A recent commentary by Anirban Banerjee, a senior associate at the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), calls for a targeted strategy to reduce emissions from both formal and informal industries.
Nearly 37% of India most polluted cities are clustered around industrial zones thermal power plants, smelters, brick kilns, and small-scale manufacturing units. In over 20% of these cities, industries are the primary contributors to air pollution. Yet, just 0.6% of NCAP and Finance Commission funds are currently allocated to controlling industrial emissions.
One of the biggest hurdles is the location of many industries in peri-urban areas, beyond the purview of urban local bodies. Informal sectors like brick kilns and rice mills burn outdated fuels inefficiently, releasing hazardous pollutants such as PM2.5, sulphur dioxide, and black carbon. Solutions like adopting zigzag kiln technology, wet scrubbers, and cleaner fuels have proven effective but enforcement and financial support remain limited.
The report highlights how fugitive dust emissions from stone crushers and grinding units persist despite CPCB guidelines. Many industrial operations are non-compliant, citing costs or lack of training. Similarly, large industries such as cement plants and steel units require modern air pollution control technologies electrostatic precipitators, bag filters, and flue gas desulphurisers to capture emissions. However, widespread implementation is still lagging.
For micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the transition to clean fuels like gas, electricity, or solar thermal is critical. These businesses often rely on coal or heavy oils, contributing significantly to PM and SO₂ emissions. But without financial incentives tax rebates, subsidies, or low-interest loans many cannot afford the shift.
Banerjee also calls for transparency. While top companies are required to report their greenhouse gas emissions, there is no legal mandate to disclose air pollutant data. He proposes that such reporting be tied to regulatory approvals like consent-to-operate, thereby encouraging industries to adopt best practices and demonstrate accountability.
The path forward, he argues, must be a shared one. Pollution control boards, industrial departments, MSME ministries, and city authorities need to collaborate not merely shift the burden of reform onto the industries. Only a coordinated, well-funded effort covering every scale of industry can make NCAP 2.0 effective.
Cleaner air is not just an environmental goal it’s an economic necessity. Improved air quality translates to reduced hospital visits, higher labour productivity, and the growth of clean technology sectors. As India’s cities expand and industrial activity intensifies, NCAP 2.0 must rise to meet the challenge with clear policy, rigorous enforcement, and inclusive financing.