Transport Emissions Drive 40% of India’s Air Pollution

Transport Emissions Drive 40% of India’s Air Pollution

Recently, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari highlighted that the transport sector contributes nearly 40% of air pollution in India, making it a central focus of the country’s climate mitigation and clean-air strategies. This statement underscores the growing recognition that vehicular emissions are a dominant driver of deteriorating urban air quality and associated public health challenges.

India’s air pollution levels remain alarmingly high. According to the World Air Quality Report 2024, India ranked among the most polluted countries globally, with average PM2.5 concentrations far exceeding safe limits prescribed by the World Health Organization. Urban centres, particularly large metropolitan regions, experience persistent air quality exceedances throughout the year. Transport emissions play a major role in this trend, especially in densely populated cities such as Delhi and Mumbai, where traffic congestion and high vehicle density amplify pollution levels.

Road transport is the principal contributor within the transport sector. Fossil fuel-based vehicles—cars, two-wheelers, buses, and trucks—emit nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and black carbon. Heavy-duty diesel vehicles contribute a disproportionate share of emissions, particularly NOx and black carbon, while the rapid growth of private cars and two-wheelers increases cumulative pollution. Vehicular emissions also contribute to ground-level ozone formation, worsening smog episodes.