New Delhi, May 4, 2026: Greenpeace India welcomes the National Green Tribunal’s recent direction asking Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Puducherry to prepare sector-wise implementation roadmaps within six months, linking public spending directly to targeted reductions in PM10 and PM2.5 levels.
This is an important and timely step.
For too long, the dominant narrative has been that South Indian cities have relatively cleaner air and therefore do not face the kind of urgent political attention seen in North India. But evidence from our Spare the Air-2 report shows that this assumption is misleading. Air pollution is already a growing public health concern across several South Indian cities, driven by a mix of transport emissions, road dust, industrial pollution, waste burning, and other local sources.
Greenpeace India has consistently highlighted that cleaner average air quality figures can often hide local pollution hotspots, especially in dense urban and industrial areas where communities are exposed to harmful air every day.
Welcoming the Tribunal’s order, Greenpeace India said:
“South India still has an opportunity to act before air pollution turns into a full-scale public health crisis. The experience of North Indian cities has shown the cost of delayed action. Southern states must not wait for pollution to reach those levels before responding. This is the moment for governments to move quickly, invest smartly, and put in place clear, sector-wise plans that deliver measurable reductions in pollution.”
The NGT’s direction is particularly significant in the context of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), where spending has often not been adequately linked to outcomes. By requiring states to align budgets with pollution reduction targets, the order creates a stronger framework for accountability.
Greenpeace India urges all southern states to treat this six-month timeline with urgency. The roadmaps must go beyond paperwork. They should identify major pollution sources city by city, assign clear responsibilities, allocate adequate budgets, and set measurable targets that can be tracked publicly.
South Indian cities do not need to repeat the mistakes that pushed many North Indian cities into a prolonged air pollution crisis. Early action can protect public health, reduce economic losses, and make cities safer and more liveable.
The window to act is open. It should not be wasted.
About Greenpeace India:
Greenpeace India is a non-profit organisation working towards environmental protection and climate justice through research, advocacy, and public engagement.
Contact Details:
Name: Selomi Garnaik
Designation: Climate and Energy Campaigner, Greenpeace India
Email-Id: [email protected]
