Transport Emissions Drive 40% of India Air Pollution

Transport Emissions Drive 40% of India Air Pollution

Why in News? 

Recently, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari stated that the transport sector is responsible for nearly 40% of air pollution in India. The sector has become the primary focus of India’s climate mitigation strategies.

Current Scenario of Transport-Linked Air Pollution in India

• Rising Urban Air Pollution: According to the World Air Quality Report 2024, India was ranked as the 5th most polluted country globally in terms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration. In 2024, the average PM2.5 level in India was around 50.6 µg/m³, which is more than 10 times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) safe guideline of 5 µg/m³. Many Indian cities continue to exceed safe air quality limits throughout the year. 

• Transport Sector’s Share: The transport sector is a major contributor to air pollution in urban India. National studies show that transport activities contribute nearly 40 % of urban air pollution, notably in densely populated cities like Delhi and Mumbai. The sector releases high amounts of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and PM2.5 particulate matter from vehicle exhausts. Two wheelers, cars, buses, and heavy-duty trucks are among the largest contributors to these emissions in city environments. 

• Major Urban Hotspots: India’s large metropolitan areas frequently report poor air quality due to heavy traffic and dense transport emissions. The Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) remains one of the most polluted urban hotspots. In winter, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in parts of NCR often crosses 350–450, entering the “very poor” to “severe” categories, with transport emissions forming an important share of the pollution mix. Cities around NCR, including Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad, also record hazardous air quality days linked to traffic emissions. 

• Key Pollutants: Vehicles emit a range of harmful pollutants that affect air quality and public health. The most important include PM2.5 and PM10 (fine particulate matter), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and black carbon. Vehicular emissions also contribute to ground-level ozone formation on sunny days, worsening smog conditions. 

• Vehicle Growth: Data from vehicle registries show that large cities like Delhi have seen millions of vehicles added in recent years. The rising number of two-wheelers and private cars worsens congestion and idle emissions in peak traffic conditions. Daily vehicle movements in major metros often exceed millions of vehicles, maintaining persistent high levels of transport pollution. 

Sources of Emissions from the Transport Sector

• Road Transport: The road transport sector is the largest source of air pollution within India’s transport system. In 2020, road vehicles were responsible for about 90 % of the total CO₂ emissions from the transport sector. Trucks, buses, cars, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers burn fossil fuels like petrol and diesel. Fossil fuel combustion in road vehicles is the main driver of emissions growth due to increasing vehicle numbers and freight demand. 

• Heavy-Duty Vehicles: Within the road sector, heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks contribute a disproportionate share of emissions. Studies show these heavy vehicles emit large amounts of NOx, PM, and black carbon (BC) compared to lighter vehicles. For example, heavy-duty diesel trucks account for the highest portion of BC emissions in on-road transport followed by goods carriers and passenger cars.

• Passenger Vehicles: Passenger vehicles such as cars and two-wheelers also emit significant pollution. Petrol engines in cars and motorcycles release CO2, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and CO during combustion. This contributes to urban smog formation and health issues in densely populated cities. Though individual emissions per vehicle are lower than trucks, the high number of these vehicles on Indian roads increases the total pollutant output. 

Impacts of Vehicular Pollution

• Health Burden: Vehicular pollution greatly increases the public health burden in India. Pollutants from vehicle exhaust enter lungs and blood. These pollutants lead to a rise in respiratory illnesses, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and other chronic conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that outdoor air pollution causes about 4.2 million premature deaths globally each year. Transport emissions contribute a large share of this burden.

• Premature Mortality: National studies show that air pollution was linked to around 1.67 million deaths in India in 2019, accounting for nearly 18 % of all deaths in the country. Much of these deaths were due to ambient particulate matter, which includes vehicle exhaust particles. Premature mortality also shortens life expectancy.

• Climate Change Linkages: Vehicular emissions also contribute to climate change by releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs). India’s transport sector emitted almost 320 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2019, around 14 % of the country’s total carbon emissions, with road transport contributing more than 90 % of this figure. As vehicle numbers rise and fuel use grows, these emissions are projected to increase further.

• Productivity Loss: Vehicular pollution causes major productivity losses due to illness, absenteeism, and premature death. The economic cost of air pollution in India was estimated at around US $36.8 billion in 2019, equivalent to about 1.36 % of the nation’s GDP. These losses include reduced labour output from sick workers, increased healthcare spending, and fewer productive work hours. Businesses also face losses from declines in workforce availability and efficiency.

Policy Framework and Regulatory Measures to Control Transport Emissions

• Bharat Stage Emission Norms: The Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms regulate how much air pollutants vehicles can emit. The Government of India skipped BS‑V standards and introduced BS‑VI norms nationwide from April 2020 to cut toxic emissions such as NOx and PM from petrol and diesel vehicles. BS‑VI reduced sulphur content in fuels drastically from 50 parts per million (ppm) under BS‑IV to 10 ppm, enabling cleaner combustion and lower tailpipe emissions. The government is now working on drafting BS‑VII standards that are expected to be more stringent.

• National Action Plan for Climate Change: The National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) was launched in 2008 to guide India’s climate and emission reduction strategy. It includes eight missions focused on clean energy, energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, and climate resilience. It integrates sustainable transport objectives through missions that promote cleaner cities and energy use. In 2025, the government proposed adding a dedicated “sustainable transport mission” to the plan to strengthen policies that cut vehicular emissions and support net‑zero commitments.

• National Clean Air Programme: The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched in 2019 as India’s flagship clean air initiative. It sets a target to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 20 %–30 % by 2024–25 in over 130 non‑attainment cities with high pollution levels. NCAP requires each city to prepare a City‑Specific Clean Air Action Plan that includes measures to control vehicle pollution such as promoting public transport, cleaner fuels, vehicle maintenance enforcement, and Pollution Under Control (PUC) monitoring. 

• Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME & PM E‑Drive): The Government of India introduced electric mobility policies to reduce fossil fuel dependence and cut transport emissions. The first major programme was the FAME scheme (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) launched in 2015, which provided subsidies for electric two‑wheelers, three‑wheelers, and buses. In FY2025–26, the advanced PM E‑Drive scheme continues this effort with incentives for EV buyers and charging infrastructure development. The central government also cut GST on electric vehicles to 5 % to make EVs more affordable and boost adoption nationwide.

• Vehicle Scrappage and Inspection Policies: To reduce emissions from old, polluting vehicles, the Government introduced the Vehicle Scrapping Policy with incentives to phase out unfit vehicles. The policy encourages owners to scrap older petrol and diesel vehicles at authorised scrapping facilities and offers financial benefits or tax rebates when purchasing newer, cleaner vehicles. The policy also supports a network of Automated Testing Stations (ATS) for regular emission checks and maintenance standards.

• EV Charging Infrastructure Expansion: The Government is expanding the EV charging network to support electric mobility and reduce range anxiety for EV users. Under central schemes like PM E‑Drive, the plan includes setting up tens of thousands of charging stations across major highways, cities, and transport hubs. These stations aim to make electric vehicles more practical and reliable for everyday travel and long distance use.

Way Forward 

To effectively reduce transport-related air pollution in India, a multi-pronged approach is essential. Expanding public transport networks and promoting non-motorized transport like cycling and walking can reduce vehicle dependence. Accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) alongside cleaner fuels like CNG and biofuels will cut harmful emissions. Urban planning must focus on traffic management, congestion reduction, and green corridors. Public awareness campaigns on eco-driving, vehicle maintenance, and pollution impacts can foster behavioral change.