Air Pollution in India: UPSC Mains Notes
Why is Air Pollution in News?
- Delhi proposed an Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0 with stronger incentives to accelerate zero-emission mobility.
- The policy seeks to improve urban air quality through a phased transition towards electric transport.
- According to NIAS, transport accounted for 41 percent of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution during 2025.
Air Pollution in India: Challenges and Concerns
- Transport emissions remain a major contributor to urban PM2.5 pollution and adverse public health outcomes.
- More than 15 million vehicles operating in Delhi intensify environmental and public health challenges.
- Air pollution contributes to cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, stroke and premature mortality.
- Two-wheelers contribute only 20 percent of transport emissions despite their large share in vehicle numbers.
- Heavy vehicles and buses contribute around 60 percent of transport emissions in Delhi.
- Commercial vehicles constitute nearly 10 percent of vehicles but generate disproportionately higher emissions.
Electric Vehicle Policy and Air Pollution Mitigation
- The proposed EV Policy introduces incentives for hybrid vehicles equipped with electric motors.
- The policy unfolds in two phases, beginning with restrictions on conventional vehicle registrations.
- From April 2028, only electric two-wheelers will receive new registrations under the proposed policy.
- The policy prioritises replacing commercial vehicles with electric alternatives to maximise emission reductions.
- According to NIAS, widespread EV adoption could prevent 800 premature deaths annually in Delhi.
- The transition may also prevent 1,000 emergency room visits and reduce pollution-related hospital admissions.
- The investment in EVs could generate ₹15,000 crore in economic productivity through improved public health.
Challenges in Tackling Air Pollution in India
- Policy limitations arise when cleaner vehicles replace only lower-emission categories such as two-wheelers.
- Heavy vehicles remain the largest polluters, requiring greater policy attention for meaningful air quality improvements.
- Long-term success depends on political will rather than short-term electoral considerations.
- Public support requires behavioural change because air pollution cannot be solved through technology alone.
- The policy should avoid piecemeal implementation and instead adopt science-based, integrated transport reforms.
Way Forward to Address Air Pollution in India
- Target heavy commercial vehicles first to maximise reductions in transport-related air pollution.
- Extend EV incentives to other vehicle categories after achieving early gains from commercial fleet electrification.
- Promote science-based policies aligned with the National Air Quality Response Framework for long-term improvements.
- Encourage public participation because sustained behavioural change strengthens environmental and public health outcomes.
- Adopt technology-led solutions alongside policy reforms to deliver durable improvements in urban air quality.
Source: Indian Express
