Addressing vehicular emissions is crucial to transforming India’s air quality landscape. While regulations and policy measures are essential, technological advancements are increasingly pivotal in mitigating pollution. From real-time emissions testing to electrification and data-driven monitoring systems, the transportation sector is witnessing innovative solutions for cleaner mobility.
Recognizing the urgency of identifying and implementing such solutions, the conference Driving Change: Innovations in Vehicular Pollution Monitoring, hosted by EPIC India on January 30, 2025, in New Delhi, brought together subject experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss the future of vehicular emissions monitoring and pollution control. The event featured 11 speakers and over 60 participants from research organizations, academia, government, and bilateral organizations.
Dr. Kaushik Deb, Executive Director of EPIC India, set the tone for the conference by emphasizing the importance of moving beyond traditional solutions to address the pollution crisis. His welcome address was followed by a compelling keynote speech by Dr. Virinder Sharma, Member Technical from the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM). Dr. Sharma highlighted recent advancements in emissions monitoring and outlined key policy interventions necessary to curb vehicular pollution. He emphasized the role of the Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) model and presented a promising outlook on electric vehicles as a clean mobility solution.
Moderated by Ms. Tanushree Ganguly, Director of Air Quality Life Index (AQLI), the first session focused on governance and regulatory enforcement. Dr. Sachin Shinde, Special Commissioner, Transport Department, GNCTD, highlighted the environmental threat posed by end-of-life vehicles and stressed the importance of public awareness for PUC compliance. Dr. Shinde further highlighted the recent success of the effective use of ANPR technology at Petrol Pumps in Delhi by the Transport Department for enforcement of end-of-life vehicles and vehicles without a valid PUCC. Ms. Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director of Research and Advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), touched upon imperatives of on-road emissions monitoring efficiently and advocated for measures to prevent tampering with advanced emissions control systems. The session underscored the complexity of governance in pollution control, where both policy enforcement and technological innovation must go hand in hand.
The discussions complemented EPIC India’s ongoing collaboration with the Transport Department, GNCTD, which focuses on abatement of pollution from in-use vehicles through a dual approach—leveraging research and policy interventions to strengthen the emissions testing framework. By integrating research-backed strategies, this initiative highlights pathways for cleaner air and governance reforms that facilitate technological advancements.
The second session, moderated by Dr. Urmila Chatterjee, Research Director at EPIC India, delved deeper into technological innovations for monitoring vehicular pollution. Shri Tim Gould, Chief Energy Economist at the International Energy Agency (IEA), emphasized the critical role of electrification in stabilizing oil demand and noted that achieving congestion management goals requires a shift in public perceptions. Shri Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary at the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, highlighted India’s technology-agnostic approach, explaining how regulatory frameworks are being designed to accommodate diverse solutions. He showcased initiatives ranging from vehicle safety improvements to updated emission regulations.
Shri Anirudh Narla, a researcher at the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), shared insights on the significance of remote sensing technology for real-time, real-world emissions testing. His presentation highlighted how advanced monitoring tools could revolutionize compliance and enforcement mechanisms.
The conference culminated in a dynamic panel session moderated by Dr. Kaushik Deb. Panellists included Shri Arvind Nautiyal, Member Secretary at CAQM; Shri Amit Bhatt, Managing Director at ICCT; and Ms. Anumita Roychowdhury from CSE. The panellists emphasized the need to balance immediate imperatives with long-term mobility solutions. Shri Nautiyal pointed out that slow infrastructure development could be mitigated by adopting new technologies. Ms. Roychowdhury advocated for greater investment in data generation to build a stronger monitoring framework beyond the PUCC model. Shri Bhatt highlighted Delhi as a promising trial ground for adapting remote sensing technology, underscoring its potential to improve compliance and reduce emissions.
Throughout the conference, lively discussions and engaging Q&A sessions enriched the discourse, demonstrating the willingness of stakeholders to collaborate and innovate.
As the conference concluded, it was evident that achieving cleaner air in India requires a multi-stakeholder approach combining technological innovation, regulatory enforcement, and public participation. EPIC India remains committed to fostering these collaborations and advancing solutions for cleaner, greener urban environments.