Pune is set to become the first Indian city to implement a Low Emission Zone targeting highly polluting vehicles and promoting cleaner urban transportation systems.

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• Pune Municipal Corporation plans to launch India’s first official Low Emission Zone within the Shivajinagar area during the next two months.
• The proposed Low Emission Zone will restrict or regulate entry of older and highly polluting vehicles across key central urban regions.
• Authorities estimate that restricting BS-III and older vehicles could reduce harmful particulate pollution levels by nearly 80 percent in identified zones.
• The initiative follows Maharashtra’s Electric Vehicle Policy 2021 and aligns with objectives under the National Clean Air Programme for cleaner cities.
• Pollution charges may be imposed on non-compliant vehicles while emergency services, public buses, and autorickshaws are likely to receive exemptions.
• Revenue generated through pollution penalties will support expansion of public transport systems and development of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
• Pimpri-Chinchwad, Mathura, Vrindavan, Varanasi, Visakhapatnam, and Vijayawada are also preparing similar clean mobility and zero-emission transport initiatives.
• Urban planners and environmental experts consider Pune’s Low Emission Zone a potential national model for reducing vehicular pollution in Indian cities.