Studies indicate that Industries contribute 11% and the dust-heavy construction sector adds 7% to Delhi’s pollution. In contrast, data from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology shows stubble burning contributes just 1.3% to Delhi’s pollution. Similarly, an analysis by CSE (Centre for Science and Environment) highlighted that 50.1% of the pollution is contributed through transportation, while stubble burning contributes only 8.9% to it. Delhi has 1.2 crore registered vehicles, including 33.8 lakh private cars (2020-21 data)
A study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air found that NCR’s thermal power plants emit 281 kilotonnes of sulphur dioxide annually – 16 times more than the emissions from burning 8.9 million tonnes of paddy straw in Punjab and Haryana. With coal still supplying over 70% of Bharat’s electricity, and the fact that 33.6% of Delhi’s electricity – and a staggering 95% of Mumbai’s – comes from coal-fired power plants indicate that EV adoption targets for cleaner transport are superfluous and just symbolic.
A report by Outlook Business, highlighted that GRAP (The Graded Response Action Plan) which is intended to effectively manage air quality in the NCR, suggests that primary pollution sources – vehicular emissions, construction activities, and industrial operations – must be controlled. Delhi Government had started implementing the GRAP-III and GRAP-IV measures from 2023 and 2024 respectively which attract tougher compliance guidelines for environment protection and pollution control. These guidelines are essential for maintaining stable air quality in large urban centres. As part of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Bharat identified 131 non‑attainment cities—urban areas that chronically fail to meet air quality standards. in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) region, there are 39 non‑attainment cities. All 39 have officially prepared GRAP frameworks. However, these GRAP Guidelines are currently being implemented actively in Delhi-NCR Region, and down the line it will become imperative to apply these guidelines in several other cities in Bharat.
In recent years, other cities like Mumbai (Air Quality Index, i.e., AQI 208 in November 2024), Bhopal (AQI above 300 in winter months) and Lucknow (AQI 306 in November 2024) reported severe air pollution.
Main causes for urban pollution
Urban air pollution is a complex issue stemming from multiple sources, both local and regional. Some of the primary contributors for urban pollution are:
🚗 1. Vehicular Emissions
🏭 2. Industrial Emissions
🏗️ 3. Construction Activities and Road Dust
🌾 4. Stubble Burning in Neighbouring States
🔥 5. Waste Burning
🏠 6. Household Emissions
🎆 7. Firecrackers During Festivals
🌬️ 8. Meteorological and Geographical Factors
In response to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report titled ‘Vehicular Air Pollution in Delhi’, which flagged lapses in the national capital’s pollution control mechanisms, Delhi govt unveiled a comprehensive 25-point Air Pollution Mitigation Plan-2025. Delhi Government announced a significant expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Delhi, stating that by 2026, the city will have 48,000 charging points—18,000 government-operated and 30,000 semi-private. Six new air quality monitoring centres will be set up to improve pollution tracking and enforcement. The Delhi Government plans to establish a new eco-park dedicated to processing electronic waste, aiming to curb air pollution caused by improper disposal of e-waste. Delhi govt will establish formal partnership through MoUs with prestigious technical institutions and scientific organisations such as IITs. The plan aims to deploy a thousand sprinklers, 140 anti-smog guns and explore cloud seeding for rain.
The action plan also incorporates waste management, enhancement of green spaces, assessment of environmental policy implementation, transport measures and industrial emission control. To specifically tackle dust pollution, the plan mandates installation of rooftop sprinkler systems in all high-rise structures. Construction sites will also have to have compulsory water sprinkling to suppress dust. The initiative also includes deadlines for bioremediating the legacy waste at the landfills — Okhla by March 2027, Bhalswa by Dec 2027 and Ghazipur by Sept 2028. Household waste segregation is mandatory, with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) receiving guidelines to prevent biomass burning through the provision of electric heaters.
Delhi Government imposed a fuel ban on 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles effective from 1st July, 2025, which it had to withdraw on 3rd July, 2025 following public backlash from vehicle owners, transport unions, and experts who criticised the lack of clarity, sudden implementation, and its disproportionate impact on lower-income vehicle owners.
As of June 21, 2025, about 500,000 diesel vehicles older than 10 years have been identified at fuel stations by ANPR (Automatic License/Number Plate Recognition) systems in Delhi/NCR.
The Financial Times (July 2025) cites roughly 6.2 million “end‑of‑life” vehicles in Delhi, of which around 2.2 million would be diesel >10 years and petrol >15 years, and the remainder are over-age two-wheelers.
Hobson’s Choice
The above recent developments have led to a spike in inquiries for second-hand cars from other cities, particularly from South Bharat. If the Delhi people are compelled to discard their old vehicles both diesel and petrol of more than 10 years and 15 years respectively, then it will lead to either disposing it as scrap or as second sale to people in other cities. This will end up in creating the challenge of disposal of scrap in Delhi resulting in more complications in pollution control or simply shifting the burden of pollution to other cities in case of second sale.
Delhi’s Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0, aims at potentially banning new petrol, diesel, and CNG two-wheeler registrations from August 15, 2026. The policy also targets CNG autorickshaws, commercial three-wheelers, and public service vehicles, mandating a shift to electric alternatives. Therefore, to address the problem of old vehicles both diesel and petrol of more than 10 years and 15 years respectively, the Delhi Government should come out with a pragmatic policy guidelines. One such option could be – permitting these old vehicles to go for retrofitting mechanism to switch over to EVs, provided these old vehicles are otherwise is good running condition and comply with the norms of RTA.
This will help the people to continue using their old vehicles that are otherwise in good condition whereas those vehicles that are not fit to run (even after getting converted to EVs) could be forced to be disposed off. According to estimates by 2030, around 28 million vehicles are to be scrapped across the country. NITI Aayog is aiming to achieve EV sales penetration of 70% for all commercial cars, 30% for private cars, 40% for buses and 80% for two and three-wheelers by 2030, in line with the country’s goal to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2070.
Few enterprising startups have come up with successful retrofitting mechanism to convert the fossil fuel vehicles to EVs. The government also needs to think about rapidly expanding the charging points for the EVs. Bharat’s Road network has an immense potential to generate solar power. State Highways and District roads built under PPP model where the road contractors are struggling to collect toll revenues can be converted into roof top solar power roads that provide scope for alternative mode of revenue generation. These roads also have closer access to grid connectivity. Solar power roads can be designed as PPP models under revenue collection and sharing basis since the solar power generated by these roads can be sold to both Government and private players. Road contractors may be permitted to sell the solar power to EVs subject to the pricing regulations stipulated by the Government. Necessary number of charging points may be installed on these roads for recharging the battery of EVs.
For addressing the problem of pollution caused by stubble burning, innovative entrepreneurs have developed a low-cost compost pit which uses sugarcane leaves, paddy waste, cow dung, soil and water, as ingredients and gives solid manure.
It would be wise and prudent for the government to come out with a comprehensive National Clean Air Programme that also covers retrofitting of the fossil fuel vehicles to EVs, low- cost compost pits that generate solid manure by putting an end to the practice of stubble burning. Such a comprehensive and integrated national policy will address the twin problems of – scrapping of old vehicles and resale of such old vehicles from Delhi to other cities which result in creating more pollution rather than reducing it.
It will also give a boost to startup entrepreneurs who can operate on greater scale to make their ventures in retrofitting and low – cost compost pits profitable. The comprehensive and integrated national policy should also have provision for public awareness programmes to create greater awareness on household waste management and green buildings. Needless to mention that the pollution caused by industries and construction activities are to be effectively controlled by implementing the guidelines strictly. Let us hope that the government will review the policy and suitably modify the same and take timely corrective measures.
