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Air pollution in India has reached a tipping point, threatening the health and well-being of millions. Amid this growing crisis, one promising solution is the implementation of Low Emission Zones (LEZs)—designated areas where polluting vehicles are restricted to curb emissions and improve air quality. To help cities across India tackle this issue, ITDP India recently launched Low Emission Zone Basics, a comprehensive guide for creating cleaner, healthier urban environments. 

At the launch, experts from global organisations shared crucial insights on how LEZs can play a pivotal role in addressing air pollution, while also offering policy recommendations to guide India’s path to cleaner air. From improving data collection to enhancing public transport and promoting localised climate action, these strategies provide a roadmap for urgent and effective change. Read on for key takeaways from the experts who are shaping the future of India’s air quality. 

The experts include, Shashi Verma, Chief Technology Officer, Transport for London (TfL); Dr. Anju Goel, Associate Director at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI); Parin Visariya, Deputy Manager at ITDP India; Dr. Sandra Wappelhorst, Senior Researcher at The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), Berlin;  Sree Kumar Kumaraswamy, Program Director at World Resources Institute (WRI); and Dr. Vivek Vaidyanathan, Program Manager at Artha Global. 

1. Better research on sources of air pollution

Central government must invest in better collection and dissemination of data and research on the sources of pollution. To date, the public debate around pollution in India is clouded in fog with some suggesting it is because of Diwali and some suggesting is because of crop burning, which is fundamentally not true. Air pollution in Gangetic plains is far more complex and getting better evidence is something central government can work on – Shashi Verma, Chief Technology Officer, Transport for London (TfL)    

2. Need for multiple interventions

London’s air quality success stems from a series of cumulative interventions since the 1950s, starting with banning coal burning, introducing clean diesel programmes, and expanding LEZs. A major contributor to improvement was increasing the mode share of sustainable transport, which reduced overall vehicle numbers. The broader lesson is to have a comprehensive approach in addressing multiple sources of pollution. – Shashi Verma, Chief Technology Officer, Transport for London (TfL) 

3. State government must approve LEZs 

Pimpri Chinchwad, in Maharashtra has decided to implement an Environmental Protection Charge ranging from ₹100-750, for polluting vehicles entering the LEZs. But the enforcement of this requires collaboration with the Road Transport Officials (RTOs) and traffic departments. Currently, there is no provision within the transport department to address such violations, making the need for an enforcement mechanism essential. State-level approvals and notifications are also necessary to formally designate the area as a LEZ. State governments must play a supportive role by bringing all stakeholders together to develop a clear, actionable plan. – Parin Visariya, Deputy Manager at ITDP India 

4. Improve public transport

Public transport connectivity in most cities remains inadequate and requires significant upgrades. State support is crucial to ensure there is an increase in the number of buses and improvement in the overall network. – Parin Visariya, Deputy Manager at ITDP India

5. Package LEZs for health

One way to get faster acceptance of concepts like LEZs is to make the stakeholders focus on how it will improve health. Talking about its benefits in sensitive areas in terms of schools, places of worship, hospitals, works well in convincing city authorities to take this up. – Dr. Vivek Vaidyanathan, Program Manager at Artha Global 

6. Focus on funding clean air in rural areas

Currently the National Clean Air Programme funds go only to urban local bodies, where the concerns are more about road dust, vehicular emissions etc. But when it comes to rural areas, these funds are not applicable. Here the sources of pollution are also different like biomass burning. This is when state governments need to pitch in. Having only NCAP as a funding source won’t solve the problem. We need various other state level schemes.  – Dr. Anju Goel, Associate Director at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) 

7. Budget for climate at municipality levels

Cities must explore ways to tap into their existing municipal budget to start climate works. If all departments commit some amount to climate, it can be a starting point with no need to look outside for funds. For instance, in most municipalities, the roads budget is the highest- so it can be leveraged to implement action to create clean air. – Sree Kumar Kumaraswamy, Program Director at World Resources Institute (WRI) 

8. Develop state-level schemes

States must come up with innovative mechanisms like the Majhi Vasundhara initiative in Maharashtra where the state has decentralised climate action. Now be it a village or a city, through their own means, they can take up small ticket projects that work towards climate action. This kind of model of sourcing innovation from the ground up is an excellent example and state can play a facilitating role to enable thinking innovatively. – Sree Kumar Kumaraswamy, Program Director at World Resources Institute (WRI) 

9. Focus on creating a good narrative

Create a phased and gradual LEZ plan with clear timelines to allow citizens and businesses to have time to adapt. Offer financial assistance to low-income groups and small businesses to transition to compliant vehicles. Develop mobility programs like air bonuses to encourage alternatives to car ownership. Speak to all stakeholders and communicate the programme. – Dr. Sandra Wappelhorst, Senior Researcher at The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), Berlin 

10. Start with CPCBs and non-attainment cities

When working with state governments, the Central Pollution Control Board is a good entry point, wherein they can enact some of the state-wide regulations and laws that’s applicable to all non-attainment cities. – Dr. Vivek Vaidyanathan, Program Manager at Artha Global

Low Emission Zone Basics

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Written by Donita Jose, Senior Associate, Communications and Development, ITDP India

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“Winter is coming”—a phrase made famous by the sitcom series Game of Thrones—has found an eerie resonance in India. Much like how the people of Winterfell dreaded the arrival of winter and the mythical evil creatures- the White Walkers, in India, it is not a creature, but the polluted air itself, that is dreaded.  

Though it’s barely November, a thick layer of pollutants is already blanketing the skies, and all eyes are searching for the culprits. Is it construction waste, crackers, or crop burning? However, one source, which remains largely overlooked, and often slides through the cracks, while continuing to remain the biggest challenge- is vehicular pollution. A recent study by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology confirms this. Conducted in the month of October 2024, the study revealed that stubble burning contributed only 1-2% of Delhi’s total air pollution in the month, while vehicular emissions accounted for a significant 11.2% – 14.2%. This makes vehicle emissions the single biggest identifiable, yet silent contributor to poor air quality, which affects the Indian cities not just in winter but year-round—making it the most urgent problem to address. 

Infact, studies being released year after year all indicate how rapidly the situation is deteriorating. The latest report reiterating this, is the Greenpeace report, which spotlights the alarming situation in South Indian cities specifically, which conventionally were believed to have cleaner air. The data from this report suggests the PM2.5 level in these cities is also no better for living standards, with a few like Hyderabad, Chennai, and Visakhapatnam, seeing levels up to 9- 10 times higher than WHO standard. As explained above, a significant part of these rising pollution levels is contributed by the growing population of vehicles.  

While the sustainable transport sector has long advocated for walking, cycling, public transport, and clean vehicle technology as solutions, it is clear that combating vehicular pollution requires a multifaceted approach beyond that. This blog outlines three key Mantras (strategies) that cities can adopt right now to tackle this growing menace. Some of these have already been implemented/ in the process of implementation in our lighthouse city, Pimpri Chinchwad, which stands as a good example for many other growing Indian cities. 

1. Shift to sustainable modes such as walking, cycling, and public transport  

First, cities should focus on creating not just isolated stretches but comprehensive networks of footpaths and cycle tracks. A well-connected network makes sustainable transport options more convenient and accessible, encouraging people to shift to these modes.  

However, providing just infrastructure may not be enough in most cases. Cities must invest in raising awareness through campaigns to nudge behavior change. Policies and legislative reforms are also crucial to embedding these practices into the city’s fabric. 

What’s a good model to emulate? Many global cities, such as Singapore, have initiated the concept of 15-minute cities. Some Indian Cities have had the chance to adopt this concept, leveraging existing initiatives like the Harit Setu project in Pimpri Chinchwad, which aims to enhance walking and cycling infrastructure in the city. Here, the plan is to make a localised network of connected footpaths and cycling tracks within smaller neighbourhoods, across the city so that people can simply opt to walk or cycle for short distances. Through such interventions, they also get sustainable options for last- mile connectivity. 

A glimpse of Linear Garden street, one of the ideal streets in PCMC which prioritises pedestrians and cyclists

However, while walking and cycling provide a sustainable alternative for short trips, they alone will not reduce congestion or pollution. For longer trips, more and better buses which connect the many networks of roads are the need of the hour to alleviate pollution and congestion. Moreover, improving bus services, including their frequency, reliability, and coverage, is crucial. Buses should seamlessly integrate with other transport modes, such as metro systems, footpaths, and cycle tracks, creating a comprehensive and efficient transport network. This interconnectedness enables commuters to make longer journeys more conveniently, thus making public transport a more attractive option. 

While these suggestions might shift a chunk of road users to sustainable modes, there will still be a section who would opt to use personal/private vehicles for travel because of its convenience. To address the emission concerns for that segment, incentivising cleaner vehicles will be an option.  

2. Incentivise people to use cleaner vehicles

Alongside promoting sustainable modes of transport, cities need to encourage the use of cleaner vehicles. This can be done in three ways: transitioning to cleaner technologies, scrapping older polluting vehicles, and building robust electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. 

India has already taken a step in this direction by adopting Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) emission standards, which significantly reduce emissions from new vehicles. However, cities can push this further by promoting electric vehicles (EVs). Local governments should implement strong scrappage policies that incentivise owners of older, polluting vehicles to retire and scrap them in exchange for financial benefits or rebates on EVs.  

Cities also need to upscale their EV infrastructure, particularly by setting up widespread charging stations. A comprehensive EV Readiness Plan can guide cities in developing this infrastructure and ensuring that the transition to EVs is smooth and well-supported. 

For example, Pimpri Chinchwad’s Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan 2023 outlines some of these, by setting a goal of having 30% of the new vehicle registrations in city shift to EV by 2026.  They are doing so by establishing 100 EV charging stations and offering incentives for e-auto drivers. Property tax rebates are also being offered to those setting up charging point in their properties. Furthermore, the PCMC’s and Pune’s shared bus service, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML), already operates 473 e-buses—India’s third-largest fleet—and is continuing to expand its fleet. These efforts – both on the front improved vehicle technology and on the front of emission reduction through improved public transport, not only reduce emissions but also set the stage for a future where EVs become the primary mode of motorised transport. 

Cities infact can go a step further, to effectively promote the use of cleaner vehicles. They can go for a dual approach of simultaneously making it more challenging to rely on personal vehicles.  

An electric bus from PMPML fleet

3. Discourage the use of personal vehicles through pricing parking and LEZs 

Cities must make it harder for people to rely on private vehicles, especially older, polluting models. Two effective ways to achieve this are by pricing parking and establishing Low Emission Zones (LEZs). 

Proper parking management can reduce the number of vehicles on the road by making it expensive to park in public spaces. When parking fees are levied, people think twice before using their cars, potentially avoiding the trip, opting for shorter trips, using public transport or finding other alternative solutions instead. This approach not only discourages unnecessary vehicle use but also frees up critical street space for creating vibrant public spaces on street. When authorised designated spots are demarcated by the city on the streets, it further reduces the time and fuel wasted in searching for a parking spot.  

Effective parking management can deter vehicle use, while LEZs take it a step further by restricting the most polluting vehicles from entering key areas. Together, they provide a strong mechanism to reduce vehicular emissions. 

In an LEZ, only vehicles with low or zero emissions—such as electric vehicles or those that meet the recommended emission standards (BS-VI)—are allowed to enter. LEZs can be city-wide or focused on strategically selected areas, making them an effective tool for cutting emissions in densely populated regions. 

For instance, in cities like London there has been a drastic reduction. As per the Mayor’s report, London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), launched in 2019, has led to a 44% reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels and a roughly 30% decrease in traffic in central areas, alongside a 21% increase in cycling. 

In India, a study by ITDP India and ICCT in Pimpri Chinchwad found that restricting pre-BS-VI vehicles in a designated LEZ could reduce PM 2.5 emissions by up to 91% within a year (if all the pre-BS-VI users switch to EVs). Without such measures, pollution levels will decrease by only 50% in the next five years, under current practices (which involves the expected business as usual gradual natural transition to BS-VI). 

Designated parking spaces created on a street in PCMC

While these three Mantras provide a holistic approach to combat vehicular emissions, acknowledging the issue is the first step.  We urge cities and policymakers not to let air pollution caused by vehicles fade into the background or be treated as a seasonal issue. Addressing vehicular emissions requires year-round effort—mode shift, cleaner vehicle technologies, and Low Emission Zones must work in tandem to tackle pollution from all angles. 

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Written by Donita Jose, Senior Associate, Communications and Development, ITDP India

With technical inputs from Parin Visariya, Deputy Manager at ITDP India

With the idea of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) gaining steam in India, here are a few concepts on the Legal, Institutional, and Technological aspects of vehicular emission.

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A recap of Urbanlogue 4.0 Episode 2

LEZs are the need of the hour to arrest the invisible yet harmful impact of vehicular pollution. However, the entire subject can be challenging to grasp. Alongside figuring out the enforcement technology and monitoring, in India, data quality and impacts on marginalised communities add to the complexity. 

On September 18, ITDP India and ICCT hosted a webinar featuring six experts, moderated by Amit Bhatt, India Managing Director, ICCT, wherein they unwrapped these concepts by sharing their journeys from managing air/vehicular pollution in cities like Delhi, Pimpri Chinchwad, and Surat, alongside insights from Brussels and Seoul. You can watch the full webinar here. 

Here are seven frequently asked questions around Low Emission Zones, which were answered during  the webinar. 

1. What are the technologies available to enforce Low Emission Zones and which is best suited for Indian context? 

Parin Visariya, Deputy Manager at ITDP India, highlighted two key enforcement methods for India: Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). 

“What’s currently feasible in India is ANPR, which uses cameras to read vehicle number plates and deduct fees for entering Low Emission Zones,” Visariya explained. GNSS, an alternative, connects to an on-board unit inside the vehicle via a cellular network to charge fees, though the unit costs INR 8,000-10,000. 

Srinivas Ganji, Solution Delivery Director (Urban Transport), Arcadis, discussed the challenges of both. ANPR faces issues like low visibility due to weather, traffic congestion, and low-light conditions. However, due to improved algorithms and infrared cameras, the efficacy of ANPR system is close to 90%.  

Regarding GNSS, Ganji pointed out a few concerns. “A lot of incentives will have to be given to maintain the onboard unit. Privacy is also a concern as all movements can be tracked and it’s still a question on who will bear the charges of transmission of the data.”  

2. Are our vehicle emissions measuring methods robust enough? 

Vaibhav Kush, Researcher at ICCT, highlighted the importance of accurately monitoring emissions for implementing LEZs. Currently, India measures pollution at two stages: during vehicle prototype testing before the production and through Pollution Under Control (PUC) checks. However, these methods only reflect emissions under controlled conditions, either in labs or when vehicles are stationary. Neither show actual pollution levels emitted. Factors like load, maintenance, driving habits, road surface, traffic congestion impact emissions. 

ICCT’s 2022 study in Delhi using the roadside sensors revealed a significant gap between tested and real-world emissions.   

5. Is crowdsourcing of pollution data the way ahead for monitoring and predicting pollution levels in micro levels? 

Dr Suraj Ghosh, Associate Counsellor from CII- ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, shared that their pollution monitoring and forecasting model was built on crowdsourced data. Their new model integrates emission inventories, meteorological data, live traffic, ambient air quality, and sensor data. By applying the Chemical Transport Model, they can predict pollutant levels for the next 72 hours, which aids measures like the Graded Response Action Plans. 

Their model achieves a resolution of 1 km x 1 km down to zone and ward levels, with the potential to enhance accuracy to 200 meters, though data quality remains a concern. “To improve accuracy of forecasts, we need good data,” he shared. 

6. What can cities in India learn from international cities like Brussels, Seoul, and London? 

Anindita Ghosh, Senior Researcher, UITP, shared several insights from different cities’ LEZ experiences. In Brussels, citizens were proactive in pushing the government to implement LEZs. In Seoul, LEZs were introduced only in the Business Zone, a model that could work in India as well. 

In all these cities, including London, effective communication played a vital role. “Engaging citizens consistently is key. Making them part of the process is essential,” Ghosh said. Various tools such as leaflets, videos, and advertisements were used extensively, with communication beginning 2-3 years before implementation. Efforts were also made to include marginalised communities, a practice that should be adopted in India. 

7. How can we address equity issues on marginalised communities while implementing LEZ? 

Globally, cities have provided incentives to encourage the transition to cleaner vehicles. Cities have provided free public transport passes for two years. Financial incentives are priortised for e-cycles and small freight vehicles for businesses, subject to polluting vehicles being scrapped. Incentives for personal cars are avoided to reduce congestion. All cities invest heavily in improving public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure. Indian cities, similarly, must priortise to improve public transport (especially bus transport) and offer target incentives after analysing the budget. 

Watch this space for more on Low Emission Zones! Join our Whatsapp group now for more webinars and talks!

Team Urbanlogue 

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Written by Donita Jose, Senior Associate, Communications and Development, ITDP India

With technical inputs from Parin Visariya, Deputy Manager at ITDP India