Centre Pushes for Better Public Transport to Tackle Delhi Air Pollution

Centre Pushes for Better Public Transport to Tackle Delhi Air Pollution

Why in News? 

Recently, the Union Environment Minister has directed monthly ministerial reviews to ensure year-round accountability for air pollution control in the NCR. In this meeting the ministry pushes for better public transport to tackle Delhi’s air pollution. 

Current Air Pollution Scenario in Delhi NCR

• Delhi NCR continues to suffer from poor air quality throughout the year. In 2025, the annual average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Delhi was around 96 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³). This is significantly higher than India’s national ambient air quality standard of 40 µg/m³ and far above the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guideline of 5 µg/m³.
• The annual average Air Quality Index (AQI) for the region stood at 201, indicating predominantly poor air quality. Delhi did not record any ‘good’ air quality days in 2025. Across the year, there were roughly 79 days in the satisfactory category, 121 moderate days, 86 poor days, 71 very poor days, and eight severe days.
• Winter months see the worst pollution peaks in Delhi NCR. In December 2025, average PM2.5 levels rose from 163 µg/m³ in October–November to about 210 µg/m³. On certain winter days, the AQI has exceeded 450, entering the ‘severe’ category. In early January 2026, parts of Delhi reported AQI readings above 370 and 311, indicating continued pollution challenges at the start of the year.
• The most critical pollutants in Delhi NCR are PM2.5 and PM10. These fine particles penetrate deep into lungs and bloodstream, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. PM2.5 is considered the most dangerous due to its small size. In 2025, Delhi’s annual average PM10 level was approximately 197 µg/m³, also well above the national permissible limit.
• Air pollution in the region comes from multiple local and regional sources. Road transport is a major contributor to PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The high volume of private cars and heavy vehicles adds significantly to pollution levels. Dust from road traffic, construction sites, and demolition adds to particulate matter. Industries around the NCR, including brick kilns and power plants, emit sulphur dioxide (SO2), PM, and other pollutants. Domestic and open burning of biomass and garbage contributes to particulate emissions, especially in winter.
• External regional sources also matter. Findings show that about 65 percent of Delhi’s air pollution in 2025 originated outside the city, mainly from nearby NCR districts such as Bahadurgarh and other regions. Local emissions accounted for about 35 per cent of PM2.5.
• Delhi has one of the highest numbers of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) in India, but coverage remains uneven across the region. Some peripheral and rapidly growing areas are under-monitored, creating gaps in data.

How Public Transport Helps to Mitigate Pollution?

• Reducing Vehicular Congestion: A single bus can replace dozens of cars, and a metro train can replace hundreds. By encouraging a mode shift from private cars to high-capacity public transport, the number of vehicles on the road is significantly reduced. This decreases traffic jams and idling time, which in turn lowers the overall emission of harmful gases like nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide per commuter. 
• Transition to Cleaner Fuels and Technology: Public transport systems often adopt cleaner technologies faster than individual car owners. Delhi’s large bus fleet has transitioned to compressed natural gas (CNG), which is a less polluting fuel than traditional diesel or petrol. The Delhi Metro is an electric system, completely eliminating tailpipe emissions. This institutional shift to cleaner energy sources makes a substantial aggregate impact on air quality.
• Encouraging Multi-Modal Integration: An efficient public transport system integrates various modes of travel, such as metro rail, buses, feeder services, and last-mile connectivity options like e-rickshaws. This seamless network makes public transport a more viable and convenient alternative to private vehicles for the entire commute journey. This integrated approach reduces “last-mile connectivity” issues.
• Optimizing Urban Land Use and Infrastructure: A robust public transport network can reduce the urban sprawl driven by car dependency. It allows for more efficient use of land that would otherwise be dedicated to parking lots and wider roads. Better infrastructure planning around public transport hubs promotes compact, mixed-use development, which inherently reduces the distance people need to travel. 
• Achieving Economies of Scale in Emission Control: Public transport facilitates the implementation of strict emission standards and maintenance protocols on a large, centralized scale. It is easier to monitor and maintain the emission levels of thousands of state-run buses or a metro system than to enforce compliance across millions of private vehicles. This centralized control ensures that emission reduction strategies are implemented effectively.

Government Initiatives and Policy Measures

• • National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP): The NUTP remains the bedrock of urban transit planning, mandating the integration of land-use and transport to minimize travel distances. It encourages states to establish Unified Metropolitan Transport Authorities (UMTAs) to provide statutory oversight and reduce institutional fragmentation. For 2026, the policy emphasizes Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) and “Service Level Benchmarks” to ensure quality and affordability for all urban residents. 
  • PM-eBus Sewa Scheme: Launched to bridge the gap in organized bus services, this flagship scheme is deploying 10,000 electric buses across 169 cities via a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. As of 2026, the central government provides 100% assistance for “behind-the-meter” power infrastructure. This initiative aims to generate over 45,000 direct jobs while significantly reducing urban air and noise pollution. 
  • PM-eBus Sewa Payment Security Mechanism (PSM): To mitigate financial risks for private operators, the government notified the ₹3,435 crore PSM scheme in late 2024. This mechanism acts as a “financial safety shield,” ensuring timely payments to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) even if local Public Transport Authorities (PTAs) default. This regulatory intervention has successfully accelerated private investment, aiming to support a total of 38,000 e-buses by 2028-29. 
  • Metro Rail Policy and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): The 2017 Metro Rail Policy mandates rigorous economic and social evaluations for new projects, favoring high-density Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). By 2026, India is approaching the status of having the world’s second-largest metro network, with over 1,000 km operational or under construction. Regulatory frameworks now push for “last-mile” integration.
  • National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) & Digital Integration: A major regulatory drive in 2026 is the nationwide standardization of the NCMC, an interoperable card for metros, buses, and suburban railways. Under the Smart Cities Mission, real-time tracking and Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCCs) have been institutionalized to improve system reliability. This digital public infrastructure (DPI) ensures a “One Nation, One Card” experience, making public transit more convenient.
  • Women’s Free Bus Travel: This scheme provides free rides on DTC/Cluster buses for women, aiming to improve mobility, safety, and access to education/employment, addressing inequities in travel.
  • Odd-Even Scheme: A temporary measure to curb severe pollution by restricting private vehicles based on license plate numbers, forcing reliance on public transport.

• Delhi EV Policy 2.0: Under the Delhi EV Policy 2.0, extended through March 31, 2026, the city aims to operate an all-electric public transport fleet by late 2026, targeting a total of 11,000 buses to meet rising demand.