Delhi Must Prioritise Construction, Transport and Waste in Green Transition

Delhi and the National Capital Region face a year-round environmental crisis in which construction dust, transport emissions and landfill methane are compounding rising heat and air pollution, yet governance across these three sectors remains fragmented across agencies and jurisdictions. Urban transport assessments and CPCB data consistently identify road dust and construction activities among the largest contributors to PM2.5 and PM10 levels in Delhi-NCR.

Indian cities generate over 150 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste annually, with only a fraction scientifically processed and reused. Delhi's three main landfills — Ghazipur, Bhalswa and Okhla — handle approximately 11,000 to 13,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, and emit methane alongside contributing to fires and leachate. The Swachh Bharat Mission has emphasised source segregation and decentralised processing, yet implementation remains uneven. Informal waste workers recover a substantial share of recyclables with minimal institutional support and could improve both efficiency and equity if integrated into formal systems.

Transport policy has focused on electrification, but the metro network's last-mile connectivity remains uneven, leaving many commuters reliant on private vehicles. As temperatures cross 45 degrees Celsius with increasing frequency, commuting itself becomes a health challenge, and public transport infrastructure including bus stops and pedestrian routes must be climate-resilient to remain viable. Fleet size and service coverage of bus systems have not kept pace with demand, limiting the impact of metro expansion and vehicle electrification investments.

The article, written by Ashish Mansharamani of the Indian Social Responsibility Network, argues that Delhi's green transition is an economic opportunity rather than a constraint. Green construction can create skilled jobs, efficient transport improves productivity and circular waste models generate livelihoods while reducing city costs. Urban green cover, including tree-lined corridors and native vegetation along transport routes, can reduce local temperatures, mitigate heat island effects and improve air quality. The larger challenge, the author argues, is achieving coordination across agencies so that urban growth aligns with climate priorities.

Key figure — 150 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste annually