Clean Air for Indian Cities – Causes and Alleviation Strategies

Abstract Air pollution in cities across the world is rising at an alarming rate. This rise in pollution has an adverse effect on people’s health leading to breathing difficulties, skin diseases and even cancer. The pollution in cities is mainly due to fossil fuel fired vehicles plying on the roads. Different polluting gases and particulate matter are discussed in the manuscript. Indian cities are no exception to this problem. With the general increase in population in the country, migration into cities has increased many folds. As a result, vehicular traffic on the roads has increased polluting the city atmosphere. This pollution has turned cities into heat islands. Two major cities of India, namely, Bengaluru and Delhi are considered in the manuscript for discussion. There are no simple ways of controlling this vehicular pollution and regulating the pollution. Strong policies have to be made and implemented. The way forward is pondered upon in the manuscript.