Air Pollution and Traffic Congestion in Urban India

Abstract

This chapter provides a critical overview of urban air pollution and traffic congestion in India. It discusses temporal and spatial variations in the level of urban air pollution and traffic congestion in the country and challenges posed by them. India loses about 2 per cent of its GDP because of urban air pollution. Urbanization of small-scale industries and increasing demand for private vehicles are major determinants of urban air pollution and traffic congestion. Legitimacy in enforcement of polices is a strong predictor of success of a policy. Growing demand for green cities coupled with transparency in governance will reduce frictions arising from pollution and congestion.