As hazardous air continues to choke Noida, posing severe public health risks, a startling revelation has emerged about the city's efforts to combat pollution. Data obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) application shows that the Noida Authority has spent a mere fraction of the funds allocated to it under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) over the past three years.
RTI Exposes Dismal Fund Utilisation
In response to an RTI query filed by Amit Gupta, a resident of Sector 77's Prateek Wisteria, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) provided damning figures. The reply, dated December 3, confirmed that between 2022 and 2025, Noida was allocated Rs 55.7 crore for clean air initiatives. Shockingly, the Authority has utilised only Rs 9 crore so far, which amounts to just 16% of the total allocation. This poor performance places Noida among the worst cities in the country for NCAP fund utilisation.
The official PRANA dashboard, a portal monitoring NCAP progress, corroborates this data, showing only Rs 8.9 crore spent as of this Tuesday. This is despite the city's air quality index frequently plunging into the 'severe' and 'hazardous' categories, especially during winter.
Official Explanations and Resident Frustration
When confronted about the dismal spending, Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M acknowledged a backlog but insisted that corrective action is now underway. "We have asked the departments to ensure the complete and timely utilisation of funds received under NCAP," he stated.
However, another official presented a conflicting account. SP Singh, General Manager (Health) at the Authority, disputed the CPCB's figures. He claimed that while the government allotted Rs 55 crore, only Rs 32 crore was actually released. "Of that, we have spent around 80% already," Singh argued, adding that the remaining amount would be utilised soon and updated details shared with the Centre and CPCB.
A senior Noida Authority official, speaking anonymously, blamed bureaucratic hurdles for the delays. The official explained that projects were held up by a slow tendering process, where identifying projects, preparing documents, and evaluating bids takes significant time. "In some cases, suitable bidders do not qualify in technical or financial evaluations, forcing the Authority to reissue tenders," the official said. The process is now being expedited, with plans to procure new machinery and ensure full fund utilisation by February 2026.
Slow Progress Amid Persistent Emergency
The CPCB's RTI reply did note a silver lining: the city's PM10 levels have dropped by 32% since 2017-18. However, residents and environmental experts argue this progress is painfully slow given the scale and persistence of Noida's air quality emergencies.
Under NCAP, officials stated that Noida has purchased mechanical sweepers and anti-smog guns to manage road dust and has resurfaced several roads. Yet, for citizens, these measures feel grossly inadequate. "We see smog every morning and worry about our children's health. The funds must be used effectively and urgently," said a concerned resident of Sector 77, echoing the sentiment of many.
Launched in January 2019 by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the NCAP aims to help 130 non-attainment cities, including Noida, achieve a 40% reduction in particulate pollution by 2025-26. With the deadline approaching and a vast majority of funds lying unspent, the city faces a monumental challenge to meet this target and safeguard the health of its residents from toxic air.
