Karnataka State Pollution Control Board bats for carpooling to curb vehicular emissions in Bengaluru

The KSPCB said that their Source Apportionment Study conducted for Bengaluru under the National Clean Air Programme found that vehicular emissions contributed nearly 40% of the overall Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 load, making them the single largest contributor to PM2.5 pollution.

Updated - September 16, 2026 07:23 pm IST - Bengaluru

KSPCB said the increasing number of private vehicles, coupled with severe congestion on major corridors and junctions, was leading to higher emissions of particulate matter and gaseous pollutants. | Photo Credit: File photo

After the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP), the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has now urged the Transport Department to examine the feasibility of introducing a clear regulatory framework for non-commercial shared commuting and corporate carpooling initiatives in Bengaluru.

The letter, written by R. Gokul, member secretary of KSPCB, addressed to the commissioner of the Transport Department, cited the potential of such measures to reduce vehicular emissions and congestion in the city.

The letter comes in the backdrop of KSPCB, under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), implementing various measures to improve air quality in Bengaluru.

Large vehicular emissions

The KSPCB said that their Source Apportionment Study conducted for Bengaluru under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) found that vehicular emissions contributed nearly 40% of the overall Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 load, making them the single largest contributor to PM2.5 pollution. Meanwhile, road dust contributed approximately 51% of PM10 concentrations.

The Board said the increasing number of private vehicles, coupled with severe congestion on major corridors and junctions, was leading to higher emissions of particulate matter and gaseous pollutants. “Slow-moving traffic and inefficient vehicle movement also contributed to the resuspension of road dust, aggravating ambient air pollution levels,” the board noted.

Mr. Gokul told The Hindu that vehicular emissions continued to be a major source of air pollution in the city. To address the issue, they were exploring options, for which meetings with several stakeholders involved in promoting shared mobility and carpooling solutions in Bengaluru were held.

“In one of the meetings, a stakeholder presented the positive adaptations through which congestion and slow-moving traffic, especially in high-density corridors, can be addressed. Such implementations, which also include carpooling, could curb the emissions, helping the cause of NCAP,” he said.

The discussions majorly highlighted the potential role of organised carpooling platforms in reducing single-occupancy vehicle use, mitigating traffic congestion, reducing fuel consumption, and lowering vehicular emissions, according to Mr. Gokul.

The Hindu earlier reported that the traffic department’s internal audit, based on data gathered from private aggregators, shows that before 2021, nearly 60,000 people benefitted from carpooling. At present, that number has dropped to 25,000. The analysis predicts that more than 1.5 lakh people will use carpooling daily if it is fully legalised and widely publicised.

In the letter, the Board acknowledged that regulatory ambiguities remained regarding the operation and promotion of organised carpooling arrangements. The absence of a clearly articulated regulatory framework, it said, could create uncertainty for commuters, employers, technology platforms, and enforcement agencies.

Hence, the KSPCB has sought that the Transport Department, as the competent authority on motor vehicle regulation and passenger transport policy, examine the matter from a policy and regulatory perspective.

It suggested that the department consider issuing guidelines, clarifications, or a policy framework governing non-commercial shared commuting and corporate carpooling, with safeguards relating to safety, accountability, and compliance with applicable laws.

Published - September 16, 2026 07:21 pm IST

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