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EVs Could Save Kolkata from Deadly Pollution
3 Aug
Summary
- Zero-emission vehicles could save thousands of lives in West Bengal.
- Road transport causes thousands of premature deaths annually in India.
- Kolkata faces severe pollution due to its location and traffic density.
A swift adoption of zero-emission vehicles in West Bengal, particularly in Kolkata, presents a significant opportunity to save thousands of lives over the next 25 years. This is according to a new study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), which highlights road transport as a major contributor to India's air pollution crisis.
The study estimates that India could avert 1.7 million premature deaths by 2050 if all new vehicles sold are zero-emission by 2045. For West Bengal, which experiences pollution from both local sources and transported pollutants, a faster transition to electric mobility could prevent over one lakh premature deaths by 2050.
Kolkata's dense traffic, industrial activity, and its position at the tail end of the Indo-Gangetic Plain contribute to severe air quality issues, especially during winter. Ageing diesel buses and freight vehicles are significant emitters of pollutants, underscoring the need for electrification to eliminate tailpipe emissions entirely.
The greatest health benefits will arise from combining rapid vehicle electrification with cleaner electricity sources, stricter emission standards, and the retirement of older, high-emitting vehicles. These findings support West Bengal's existing initiatives to phase out diesel buses and expand electric public transport infrastructure.
