Healthy Air Zones: A New Urban Solution

Air pollution remains a critical public health issue in Indian cities, driven by dense populations and multiple emission sources. Current national policies primarily rely on ambient air quality data collected from monitoring stations distant from daily life.

A promising strategy to combat this crisis is the implementation of Healthy Air Zones (HAZs), also known globally as clean air or low emission zones. Unlike international approaches focusing solely on transport, Indian cities can broaden HAZs to include interventions for construction, waste burning, and industrial emissions.

HAZs would be strategically located in densely populated urban areas, including business districts and public spaces. These zones allow for localized air quality management, creating targeted interventions that contribute to a larger city-wide mitigation plan.

Vehicle emissions can be controlled in HAZs by promoting electric vehicles, enhancing public transport, and redesigning streets for walking and cycling. Stringent controls on polluting freight and commercial vehicles would also be enforced.

Infrastructure improvements, such as edge-to-edge paving and non-motorized transport lanes, will reduce road dust resuspension. Rigorous on-site enforcement of clean construction practices, like water sprinkling and covering materials, is also essential.

Open waste burning can be addressed through local management plans, community engagement, and decentralized infrastructure. Integrating CCTV networks can help identify burning hotspots and foster litter-free zones.

Focused greening initiatives, including urban forests and green buffers, will act as natural filters. This approach decentralizes air quality management, enabling community engagement with local authorities.

HAZs can serve as living laboratories for innovative solutions, proving their effectiveness in controlled environments before city-wide scaling. Successful precedents exist in Agra and Bogotá, demonstrating the potential of targeted zones for health and environmental preservation.

The Mumbai Climate Week highlights the importance of HAZs in accelerating climate action and empowering citizens. Ultimately, HAZs offer a pathway to transform cities by prioritizing health and recognizing clean air as a fundamental right.