Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Pollution Awareness to Spread Beyond Delhi, PM Adviser Says
Tarun Kapoor said people across India will become more concerned about air pollution.
He said this concern is already strong in Delhi and nearby areas.
Many northern cities also have unhealthy air during winter.
Towns in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are among the places seeing high pollution.
India wants to use cleaner ways to power vehicles instead of relying mainly on petrol and diesel.
Electric vehicles, biofuels, and natural gas could all have roles.
The best choice may depend on how available and affordable each fuel is.
A TERI report said India should change to cleaner transport in stages rather than choose only one fuel.
Government authorities will need to coordinate their policies.
Tarun Kapoor said concern about pollution will spread from Delhi and nearby cities to other parts of India.
He said several north Indian cities, including towns in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, experience high winter pollution.
Kapoor said India’s move away from petrol and diesel is certain, but fuel availability and costs will shape the transition.
A TERI study concluded that no single fuel should replace all current mobility options across India.
The study recommended a phased clean-mobility transition using different technologies for different vehicles and applications.
- Who
- Tarun Kapoor, an adviser to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Prime Minister’s Office, and The Energy and Resources Institute.
- What
- They discussed the spread of pollution awareness and India’s transition to cleaner vehicle fuels and technologies.
- When
- Wednesday; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- Delhi, other north Indian cities, and potentially other parts of India.
- Why
- High winter pollution is affecting cities, creating pressure for coordinated policies and cleaner mobility options.
Single-Fuel Approach
Phased Multi-Fuel Approach
How India should replace existing mobility fuels
Single-Fuel Approach
A single fuel or technology could provide a uniform direction for replacing petrol and diesel, although the articles do not identify a specific single-fuel advocate.
Phased Multi-Fuel Approach
The Energy and Resources Institute study said no single fuel is best for every use and recommended different technologies for different vehicle fleets, applications, and transition stages.
Policy coordination
Single-Fuel Approach
Some authorities, including the Supreme Court, the road transport ministry, and state governments, may pursue different policies or ideas, according to Kapoor.
Phased Multi-Fuel Approach
Kapoor said uniform decisions by all authorities are needed for India’s clean-mobility transition.
- Speaker
- Tarun Kapoor, adviser to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Prime Minister’s Office
- Pollution pattern
- North Indian cities routinely experience poor air quality during winters
- Cities mentioned
- Towns in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are seeing high pollution levels
- Current fuels
- India is expected to shift away from petrol and diesel
- Possible technologies
- Electric vehicles, biofuels, natural gas, hybrid vehicles, and flex-fuel vehicles
- Study organization
- The Energy and Resources Institute
- Study conclusion
- India should use a phased transition rather than select one universal replacement fuel