Gaurav Meena¹, Shobhit Kumar²

^1,2 Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra, Kurukshetra, India.  

Abstract

This research paper comprehensively reviews and analyses the status, environmental and health impacts, and trends of vehicular emissions in India. It aims to synthesise data on pollutant sources, their consequences, and evaluate the efficacy of existing policy frameworks in mitigating the growing environmental burden from the road transport sector. The study is based on a systematic review of secondary data from government reports (e.g., CPCB, MoRTH), international agencies (e.g., IEA, EDGAR), and scientific literature. Data on vehicular population, fuel consumption, and emission factors were compiled and analysed using statistical and comparative methods to identify trends and project future scenarios for key pollutants like CO₂, CO, NOₓ, and PM. India’s road transport sector is a rapidly growing source of air pollution and greenhouse gases, contributing approximately 10.6% of the nation’s GHG emissions in 2024. The analysis reveals a dramatic projected increase in CO₂ emissions, from 208 million tonnes in 2005 to a forecasted 1,212 million tonnes by 2035. Key findings highlight that while two-wheelers dominate the vehicle fleet, heavy commercial vehicles (≈2% of the fleet) contribute disproportionately to NOₓ and particulate matter emissions. Pollutants from vehicular exhaust are linked to severe respiratory and cardiovascular health issues and cause widespread environmental damage, including acid rain, smog, and ecosystem degradation. The article concludes that despite policy interventions like the Bharat Stage (BS-VI) emission standards and electric vehicle promotion, the rapid growth in vehicle numbers and fuel consumption continues to outpace mitigation efforts. A multi-pronged strategy involving stricter emission norms, an accelerated transition to electric and cleaner fuels, and enhanced public transport infrastructure is critical for achieving sustainable mobility and improving air quality in India.

Keywords: Vehicular emissions; Air pollution; Road transport; Environmental impact; Bharat stage norms; Climate policy

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