The ITDP India survey, conducted with PMC/PCMC, suggests bans or pricing effectively discourage polluting vehicles. (Source: Express Archives)If high-polluting vehicles are banned in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, 96.5 per cent of people are likely to shift to a less polluting or zero-pollution private vehicle, such as an EV or BS-6 vehicle, as one of the options. The other top travel choice in such a scenario would be public transport, walking, or cycling, with 24.5 per cent of people indicating this option. Experts view this as “an encouraging sign that stricter emission standards could nudge more private-vehicle users toward public transport”.These statistics are based on a new survey by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) India. The organisation, which works globally on creating progressive transport systems and policies, conducted a survey of 2,000 personal two-wheeler and four-wheeler users from Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporations to gauge their pulse on air pollution and the outcomes if a daily pollution charge or ban was imposed on high-polluting vehicles. The survey spanned September and October 2025.The other key findings include understanding changes in the travel behaviour of people if they had to pay a daily pollution charge to use their high-polluting vehicle, instead of these vehicles being banned. What if the respondents had to pay a daily pollution charge of Rs 75 for two-wheelers and Rs 150 for cars? “Only 4 per cent of respondents agreed to pay daily cess as it would allow them to travel occasionally or during emergencies. However, 96 per cent of respondents would still prefer to switch to a less polluting or EV vehicle, instead of paying,” says the survey.According to the researchers, the finding demonstrates that a policy that discourages the use of high-polluting vehicles alongside encouraging cleaner modes can encourage a faster shift to a less polluting vehicle or EV.“Our research suggests both bans and pricing are effective in discouraging highly polluting vehicles. However, pricing polluting vehicles can allow people to continue using their vehicles in emergencies and occasional use. It gives time to transition to cleaner vehicles. However, it is important that the resultant revenue be only invested to further strengthen public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure, and support incentives for cleaner vehicles,” said an official statement from Parin Visariya, Programme Manager, ITDP India.The survey is a part of a larger project that the ITDP has undertaken with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). “The AQI levels in both cities have been rising and touching severe to poor limits quite regularly,” says Siddharth Godbole, Senior Associate, ITDP–India. He points out that an environmental status report 2024-25, released by the PMC in July 2025, showed that Pune had experienced 52 ‘good days’ (with good air quality) in 2024-25, a decline from 79 in 2023-24.“This new survey was done independently by us, but as a part of the larger project, where we were trying to understand what kind of strategies would work to lower vehicular emissions in both these cities. The survey attempts to gauge people’s perception of pollution. Are they getting affected by pollution? Do they face any health effects? If some kind of vehicular ban or low emission zone pricing were brought into force, what kind of effect would that have on citizens?” says Godbole.Story continues below this adAccording to the study, experts say that the findings strongly indicate that “when polluting vehicles are discouraged through a policy intervention, people would shift to cleaner alternatives”. This creates a powerful motivation for policymakers to adopt proven global strategies that leverage this travel behaviour change.Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read MoreClick here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd