Lok Sabha Question No. 2357 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-13
Subject: National Clean Air Health Mission
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2357 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2026

## NATIONALCLEAN AIR HEALTH MISSION

## 2357. SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH:

## Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether air pollution related morbidity and mortality have been officially classified as a public health emergency despite reports of rising hospital admissions across States and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(b) whether cases of asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) cardiovascular diseases and cancers are attributable to air pollution and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to strengthen District Hospitals and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to manage the increasing disease burden;

(d) the reasons for the failure to deploy mobile health clinics, provide free respiratory medicines and ensure the availability of oxygen support in high-pollution areas, particularly for children, the elderly and informal sector workers;

(e) whether any inter-ministerial action plan has been initiated by the Government in coordination with the Ministries of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Road Transport and Highways and Housing and Urban Affairs to mitigate health risks arising from vehicular and construction-related pollution and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) whether the Government proposes to launch a time-bound National Clean Air Health Mission with dedicated funding for early screening, treatment support and compensation for affected families or continue shifting responsibility across departments and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) & (b). Air pollution is one of the aggravating factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases, however, there are no conclusive data available to establish direct correlation of disease exclusively due to air pollution. Health effects of air pollution are synergistic manifestation of factors which include food habits, occupational habits, socioeconomic status, medical history, immunity and heredity etc. of the individuals.

(c) & (d). Public Health is a State subject and the responsibility of strengthening public healthcare system lies with the respective State/ Union Territory Governments. Under National Health Mission (NHM), the Ministry provides technical and financial support to States/ Union Territory for strengthening their healthcare systems based on the proposals submitted by them in their Program Implementation Plans subject to norms and availability of resources. Respiratory medicines are included in the Government of India's National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) and are provided through public health facilities. Medical oxygen infrastructure has also been strengthened through PSA plants and supply of oxygen cylinders and concentrators since COVID-19.

For long-term preparedness, the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission has been implemented to augment capacities at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Key components include establishing Integrated Public Health Labs, Block Public Health Units, Critical Care Hospital Blocks, and expanding the Integrated Health Information Portal across all States/UTs.

(e). The Government of India has constituted a Steering Committee, co-chaired by Secretary of Health and Family Welfare and Secretary of Environment and Climate Change with member from other ministries including Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Department of Health Research Indian Council of Medical Research. The committee is constituted for monitoring and overall coordination on environment and health issues.

(f). No such proposal for National Clean Health Mission is under consideration in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. However, to improve air quality in 130 nonattainment and Million-Plus Cities in 24 States/UTs, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in January, 2019 through a comprehensive, integrated and collaborative approach involving the coordinated efforts of the Central and State Governments, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and other stakeholders.

It emphasizes source-specific mitigation measures through the implementation of city, state, and national-level Clean Air Action Plans. State Action Plans have been prepared by all 24 States/UTs. Also, all 130 cities under the NCAP have prepared a Clean Air Action Plan (CAP). These plans focus on sectoral interventions such as road dust control, solid waste management, vehicular emissions, construction and demolition activities and industrial pollution.

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