The Impact Study Of Vehicular Pollution On
Environment
Introduction: Air pollution is a serious issue in urban India, affecting
millions with poor air quality. It leads to respiratory problems, cancer risks, and
other health issues, while also causing significant economic losses due to
increased medical expenses. The poor are particularly vulnerable, lacking
protection from polluted environments.
With rapid urbanization, more people are moving to cities, increasing exposure
to air pollution. A major contributor is the rise in motor vehicles—some cities
have seen their vehicle numbers double in the past decade. This growth, along
with traffic congestion, has made transport the leading source of urban air
pollution.
India has taken steps to improve air quality, including upgrading fuel standards,
enforcing emission norms, and promoting cleaner transportation. Awareness
campaigns and institutional efforts have also been introduced. However,
challenges remain, such as outdated vehicle technology, mixed traffic
conditions, and limited infrastructure. Continued action is essential to safeguard
public health and ensure sustainable urban development.
Another growing concern is the lack of green spaces and proper urban planning,
which worsens the impact of pollution. Inadequate public transport systems
force more people to rely on private vehicles, further increasing emissions.
Encouraging non-motorized transport and expanding metro networks could play
a key role in reducing pollution levels.
Vehicular pollution: Vehicular pollution is the introduction of harmful
material into the environment by motor vehicles. These materials, known as
pollutants, have several bad effects on human health and the ecosystem.
Transportation is a major source of air pollution in many countries around the
world due to the high number of vehicles that are available on the roads today.
An increase in purchasing power means that more people can now afford cars
and this is bad for the environment. The air pollution from vehicles in urban
areas, particularly in big cities, has become a serious problem. The pollution
from vehicles has begun to tell through symptoms like cough, headache, nausea,
irritation of eyes, various bronchial and visibility problems.
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Vehicular Pollutants: Automotive vehicles emit several pollutants
depending upon the quality of the fuel they consume and engine efficiency. The
release of pollutants from vehicles also include fugitive emissions of the fuel
and the source and level of these emissions depending upon the vehicle type, its
maintenance, etc. The major pollutants released as vehicle/fuel emissions are,
carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), photochemical oxidants, air
toxics, namely benzene (C6H6), aldehydes, 1,3 butadiene (C4H6), lead (Pb),
particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbon (HC), oxides of sulphur (SO2) and
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). While the predominant pollutants in
petrol/gasoline driven vehicles are hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, the
predominant pollutants from the diesel based vehicles are Oxides of nitrogen
and particulates.
Vehicular Pollution and climate change: The world average
temperature has risen by about 1 F° over the past century. It is widely accepted
that the global warming is related to anthropogenic Green House Gases
(GHGs). GHGs include, the common gases namely , carbon dioxide and water
vapor, and rarer gases such as nitrous oxide, methane and chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) whose properties relate to the transmission or reflection of different
types of solar radiations. The increase in such gases in the atmosphere is a result
of the burning of fossil fuels, emission of pollutants into the atmosphere by
power plants and vehicle engines, etc. Of all human activities, driving motor
vehicles produces the most intensive CO2 emissions and other toxic gases per
capita. A single tank of gasoline releases 140 ~180 kilograms of CO2. Over
25% of transportation-related GHG emissions originate from urban passenger
travel (Yang M. 1998). Unsustainable trends in urban transportation have
already manifested in frequent congestions, periodic gridlock and evidence
linking respiratory illnesses and deaths to poor air quality.
Global Emission of Greenhouse Gases from Transport Sector:
Transport sector contributes around 14% towards the global emissions of green
house gases. Carbon dioxide represents the largest proportion of basket of
greenhouse gas emissions. During, the past three decades, carbon dioxide
emissions from transport have increased faster than those from all other sectors
and are projected to increase more rapidly in future. The Road transport alone
emits around 16% of the global CO2 emissions (Source: OICA). From 1990 to
2004, carbon dioxide emissions from the world’s transport sector have increased
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by 36.5%.For the same period, road transport emissions have increased by 29%
in industrialized countries and 61% in the other countries (IEA, 2006). The
globalemissions of GHG’s from different sectors have been shown in figure 1.0.
shipping & Railways sector emissions of CO2from transport sector are about
11%, 9% & 2% respectively.
Fig: Global Emission of GHG’s from Transport Sector
The CO2 emissions in the major developed and developing countries around the
world during 1980 to 2030 is shown in figure 1.1. The figure shows that the
global CO2emissions are going to get stabilized in the developed countries in
the near future, the CO2 are likely to increase in the developing countries owing
to its due economic growth as well rising human population. However, in terms
of per capita emissions the emissions from developing countries alike developed
countries, are also expected to stabilize in the near future.
Vehicle Emission standards
The common sources of automotive emission standards and protocols are the
USA, European Union (EU) and Japan; other countries derive their emission
norms based on the regulation prevailing in these three countries/consortia.
India bases its norms on the EU. The Indian standards are calledBharat Stage
(BS), which maps to Euro norms (e.g., BS-IV maps to EURO-4). The timeline
of Indian automobile standards is shown in Figure 1. The BS-VI limits for
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passenger cars and 2-3-wheelers are given in Table 1. Currently, Indian
certifying agencies conduct Real-driving Emissions (RDE) for BS-VI vehicles
and analyze the data for formulating RDE regulation.
In 2016, India decided to skip BS-V norms and directly adopt BS-VI standards
by 2020, an unprecedented global move. Refineries and automakers rapidly
upgraded to produce compliant fuels and vehicles, aligning India with US,
Japan, and EU emission norms. The transition cost about USD 15 billion, and
proper vehicle maintenance with regulatory oversight is essential to sustain
these environmental gains. Sizeable numbers of old vehicles should be replaced
quickly to pave the way for BS-VI vehicles. The vehicle scrapping policy will
be crucial in how fast India can hasten the entry of new BS-VI vehicles.
Average distance specific emissions across captured BS IV and BS
VI : In India, average distance-specific emissions have significantly reduced
from BS-IV to BS-VI standards. BS-IV vehicles emitted higher levels of NOx,
PM, and hydrocarbons, contributing to urban air pollution. With BS-VI, NOx
emissions in diesel vehicles dropped by about 70% and PM by nearly 80%,
thanks to advanced after-treatment systems like DPF and SCR. BS-VI norms
also introduced stringent limits
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FIGURE: Average distance specific emissions across captured BS IV and BS VI
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Modern Approaches to Fight Against Vehicular Pollution:
Vehicular pollution is a major cause of air quality deterioration, especially in
urban areas where traffic congestion and fossil fuel consumption are high. To
combat this growing environmental challenge, modern strategies focus on a mix
of technological advancements, policy reforms, and public engagement. The
following approaches are commonly implemented around the world:
1. Awareness Rising in People or Public
Raising awareness among the public is a fundamental step in the fight against
vehicular pollution. When people understand how vehicle emissions contribute
to health problems and climate change, they are more likely to adopt eco-
friendly habits. Governments and NGOs run awareness campaigns using media,
workshops, and public events to educate citizens about the benefits of using
public transport, cycling, carpooling, and maintaining vehicles in good
condition.
2. Developing Fuel Economy Standards
Fuel economy standards are regulations that set limits on the amount of fuel a
vehicle can consume over a certain distance. These standards push automobile
manufacturers to develop vehicles that are more efficient and less polluting.
Countries around the world are updating and tightening these standards to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Improved fuel
economy not only lowers emissions but also saves money for consumers by
reducing fuel costs.
3. Introducing Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs)
One of the most promising solutions to vehicular pollution is the development
and adoption of zero emission vehicles, such as electric cars and hydrogen fuel
cell vehicles. These vehicles do not emit harmful gases like carbon monoxide,
nitrogen oxides, or particulate matter. Governments are providing incentives
like tax benefits, subsidies, and charging infrastructure to encourage the use of
ZEVs. The transition to zero-emission mobility is crucial for achieving clean air
and meeting climate targets.
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4. Discarding Old Vehicles
Older vehicles are often less fuel-efficient and emit more pollutants due to
outdated engine technologies and wear over time. Many countries have
introduced scrappage policies that promote the removal of these high-polluting
vehicles from the roads. Under such policies, vehicle owners receive financial
incentives to retire old vehicles and replace them with newer, cleaner models.
This not only reduces emissions but also boosts the automobile industry and
road safety.
5. Civic Education
Civic education plays a vital role in shaping responsible citizens who care about
their environment. By including environmental studies in school curricula and
organizing community-level training programs, individuals—especially the
youth—can learn about the consequences of pollution and the importance of
sustainable transportation. Educated citizens are more likely to participate in
initiatives like tree planting, green commuting, and supporting eco-friendly
policies, thus playing an active role in reducing vehicular pollution.
In conclusion, modern approaches to fight vehicular pollution require a
combination of public participation, government policies, and technological
innovation. When these efforts work together, they create a cleaner, healthier,
and more sustainable environment for current and future generations.
Some Recent Developments on Emission of different Automobile
centres in Alipurduar:
Recent Developments on Emission Testing at Automobile Centers
1. Introduction
Vehicular emissions are a major contributor to air pollution, especially in
growing urban and semi-urban areas. Recognizing this problem, many regions
have started improving their automobile emission testing systems. These
developments aim to ensure that vehicles meet the required pollution standards
and help create a healthier environment for all. With the increasing number of
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vehicles on the roads, controlling emissions has become a top priority for
environmental and health authorities across the country.
2. Description of the Development
In the past few months, several steps have been taken to modernize and expand
the emission testing network. Existing testing centers have been upgraded with
digital systems, and new centers are being opened to handle the increasing
number of vehicles. The testing process has also become faster, more
transparent, and more accurate due to technological upgrades. Moreover,
training programs have been organized for staff at these centers to ensure they
operate machines correctly and follow updated environmental guidelines.
3. Specific Details
For example, computerized emission testing machines have been installed at
center like Suniti Auto Emission Testing Centre . A new mobile testing van
service has also been introduced in areas of Alipurduar , making it easier for
people in rural parts to access emission checks. Some centers now operate
extended hours to manage the high demand, especially during renewal of
vehicle documents. In addition, QR-code-based receipts and SMS alerts are now
being provided for test results to ensure better customer service.
4. Public or Government Response
The government has taken an active role in promoting these developments by
issuing notices about mandatory emission tests and fines for non-compliance.
Awareness campaigns have been launched through posters, local news, and
social media. The public response has generally been positive, with more
vehicle owners now regularly getting their vehicles tested and repaired if
needed. Local authorities have also partnered with schools and community
groups to spread awareness about the harmful effects of vehicular pollution and
the importance of emission control.
5. Conclusion and Impact
These improvements are expected to bring long-term benefits by reducing
harmful gases in the air and encouraging vehicle owners to maintain their
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vehicles properly. As emission norms become stricter and enforcement
improves, the level of vehicular pollution is likely to decline. These changes
mark a significant step toward cleaner air and a more environmentally
responsible society. With continuous monitoring, better infrastructure, and
stronger community involvement, the fight against vehicular pollution is
gaining momentum in both urban and rural regions.
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