Indian cities are collectively wasting crores of rupees by focusing on the wrong pollutants, according to a new analysis. The misalignment of priorities and funding mechanisms has led to inefficient use of resources, failing to address the most critical environmental threats. Experts argue that linking future funding to outcomes rather than expenditure alone could mirror successful public finance reforms in sectors such as sanitation, where performance-linked grants under Swachh Bharat created healthy competition among cities.
The Problem of Misplaced Priorities
Many municipal corporations and state agencies are spending heavily on monitoring and controlling pollutants that are not the primary drivers of local air quality degradation. For instance, while particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) remains the most harmful pollutant in most Indian cities, resources are often diverted to less impactful measures. This misallocation stems from a lack of data-driven decision-making and pressure to show visible action.
Financial Inefficiency
According to government data, urban local bodies have spent over Rs 5,000 crore in the last five years on air quality management, yet many cities continue to rank among the most polluted globally. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has repeatedly flagged the issue, noting that funds are being used for activities like road sweeping and water sprinkling without measurable improvement in air quality indices.
Learning from Swachh Bharat
The Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) successfully used performance-linked grants to incentivize cities to achieve open defecation free status and improve solid waste management. Cities that performed well received additional funding, creating a competitive environment. A similar model for air pollution could redirect focus toward high-impact interventions such as reducing vehicular emissions, controlling industrial pollution, and promoting clean fuel adoption.
Proposed Reforms
Policy experts suggest that the 16th Finance Commission should consider outcome-based criteria for allocating funds to urban local bodies. Instead of reimbursing expenses, the central government could release grants based on verified reductions in PM2.5 levels, increase in green cover, or adoption of electric vehicles. This would ensure that every rupee spent contributes to tangible health and environmental benefits.
Way Forward
With the NGT and Supreme Court monitoring compliance, cities must urgently realign their strategies. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is also working on a revised National Clean Air Programme that emphasizes performance metrics. However, without a fundamental shift in funding philosophy, the cycle of waste and inefficiency is likely to continue. Citizens, too, can play a role by demanding accountability and tracking local air quality data.
In conclusion, rethinking how funds are disbursed for pollution control could transform India's urban environment. The Swachh Bharat experience offers a proven template: when cities compete for outcomes, they innovate and deliver. It is time to apply the same principle to the air we breathe.
