Improved inspection and maintenance for vehicles will make our air breathable

With a 28% share in Delhi's particulate matter concentration during winters, the transport sector also provides a huge scope to introduce targeted interventions to curb air pollution. While the government has tightened emission norms and introduced cleaner fuels, the expected results have not been observed in the city's air quality. Studies have shown that around 60% of vehicular air pollution in India can be attributed to 20% of vehicles, the ones that are poorly-maintained or, simply, old. In the absence of an effective inspection and maintenance system, on-road reduction in emissions cannot be ensured even with the introduction of cleaner fuels.