Pune Set To Launch India’s First Low Emission Zone In Shivajinagar From June 5

Pune is preparing to introduce India’s first city-level Low Emission Zone in Shivajinagar from June 5, aiming to curb rising vehicular pollution and improve urban air quality.

Pune | May 15, 2026

In a landmark step towards combating air pollution, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to launch India’s first Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Shivajinagar and surrounding central areas from June 5. The initiative is aimed at restricting highly polluting and older vehicles from entering designated zones in an effort to reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality in the city.

Officials said the proposed LEZ will initially cover parts of Shivajinagar and nearby localities, making Pune the first Indian city to implement such a large-scale pollution-control model. The civic administration is currently finalising infrastructure and enforcement mechanisms ahead of the rollout.

According to civic authorities, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will be installed across entry points to monitor vehicles entering the zone and identify violations. Authorities are also considering penalties or pollution charges for vehicles that fail to meet prescribed emission standards.

The proposed zone is expected to cover nearly 7% to 10% of Pune city, stretching from Shivajinagar to Swargate and from Senapati Bapat Road to East Street. Initial restrictions are likely to target Bharat Stage-III and older vehicles, including those registered before 2011.

PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram recently chaired a review meeting with officials from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, Pune Police, Regional Transport Office and transport planning experts to accelerate preparations for implementation.

The project forms part of Pune’s broader clean-air and sustainable mobility strategy developed in collaboration with the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP). Officials said the initiative aligns with Maharashtra’s Electric Vehicle Policy 2021 and the National Clean Air Programme.

Studies cited by authorities indicate that vehicular emissions contribute nearly 46% of PM2.5 pollution in the Pune metropolitan region. Research also shows that older vehicles produce significantly higher pollution levels compared to modern BS-VI vehicles.

Urban planners and environmental experts believe the Low Emission Zone could become a model for other Indian cities struggling with rising pollution and traffic congestion. Similar systems are already operational in major global cities including London and several European metropolitan regions.

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