A first: Special survey launched to check real-time vehicle emissions
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, a special survey has been launched to check real-time vehicle emission in Ludhiana, which being the biggest and largest district, in terms of area and population, has the highest vehicular population in the state.
The Punjab Traffic and Road Safety wing of the Punjab Police have launched an innovative pilot project to monitor vehicle exhaust emissions using advanced remote sensing technology.
The project, in collaboration with the Raahgiri Foundation and the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), is part of the globally recognised The Real Urban Emissions (TRUE) initiative, which helps cities develop data-driven air quality policies.
Cutting-edge remote sensing devices measure real-time vehicle emissions at key road locations, providing crucial data to identify high-emission vehicles, and inform targeted policy interventions. Similar studies in London, Paris, Beijing, Mexico City and Delhi have led to effective policy changes to reduce emissions in the past.
The project was kicked off in a joint session, chaired by Additional Director General of Police (Traffic and Road Safety), AS Rai. Dr Navdeep Asija, Traffic Adviser to the Punjab Government, representatives from the Raahgiri Foundation, including Sarika Pandha Bhatt, and Lavnish Goyal and Anirudh Narla from the ICCT, were among others who attended the session.
After detailed deliberations, it was decided to initiate the pilot project in Ludhiana with the active cooperation of the Commissionerate Police.
The study will be coordinated by ADCP Gurpreet Kaur Purewal, who will oversee its implementation at multiple strategic locations across the city.
The study began at Ladhowal toll plaza and will continue for a month, expanding to additional high-traffic areas across the Ludhiana Commissionerate Police limits.
“The study will play a vital role in data collection, enforcement and advocacy for sustainable policies based on its findings,” Dr Asija, who is also Director of Punjab Road Safety and Traffic Research Centre (PRSTRC), told The Tribune on Wednesday.
He said the Punjab Police would prepare an action plan to implement the findings effectively through better advocacy and inter-departmental coordination, ensuring a sustainable approach to reduce vehicular pollution in the city.
Traffic congestion, impact on health
Traffic congestion in Ludhiana significantly impacts air quality and public health. High-vehicle density leads to prolonged exposure to pollutants, increasing respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions and stress-related disorders. The lack of smooth traffic flow exacerbates fuel consumption, leading to higher emissions and economic losses.
Way forward
To address these issues, the Punjab Traffic and Road Safety wing implements strategies such as improving traffic management systems, promoting non-motorised transport, enhancing public transport infrastructure and enforcing emission norms. Deploying intelligent traffic systems and expanding pedestrian-friendly zones further contribute to reducing congestion and improving air quality in the district.
How will it work
The Remote Sensing Devices (RSDs), which are advanced tools, will be used to measure vehicle emissions in real-world driving conditions without requiring vehicles to stop or undergo direct testing. Unlike traditional pollution under control (PUC) tests, which involve stationary inspections, RSDs assess exhaust emissions as vehicles pass by on roads and highways. The method enables rapid, large-scale monitoring of emissions from the on-road fleet, helping regulators identify high-emitting vehicles and evaluate compliance with vehicle emission standards. RSDs operate using principle of absorption spectroscopy, where infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) beams are projected through a vehicle’s exhaust plume. Detectors measure how much light is absorbed at specific wavelengths corresponding to pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2). The device also measures opacity, which is a proxy for particulate matter (PM). These measurements are taken in real time as vehicles drive past, providing an instantaneous snapshot of their emissions performance under actual driving conditions. In addition to emissions data, RSDs capture vehicle speed, acceleration, road slope and weather conditions, ensuring a more comprehensive assessment. A video camera records the vehicle’s license plate, allowing authorities to link emissions data to specific vehicles for enforcement or research purposes. The data will be instantly processed and stored in a database for further analysis, helping policymakers track fleet emissions trends, enforce regulations and design more effective vehicular emission control strategies.
26 lakh vehicles for 20 lakh population
With roads and lanes network spreading over 4,000 km, Ludhiana, spread over 169 sq km area with an estimated population of 20 lakh, has over 26 lakh registered vehicles and the vehicular population is fast exploding with almost 1 lakh new vehicles registered here every year at an average of 280 new vehicles daily and 8,333 vehicles hitting the roads every month.
