Impact of Road Transport Pollution on Education and Health in Gurugram

A recent study by the International Council on Clean Transportation reveals alarming statistics about the impact of road transport pollution in Gurugram. In 2025, children aged 5 to 18 lost nearly 95,000 school days due to pollution-related illnesses, equating to a full academic year for hundreds of students. The report also highlights the emergence of 89 new asthma cases linked to vehicular emissions, with private cars identified as the primary source of pollution. This situation underscores the urgent need for effective measures to address air quality and protect the health and education of the city's youth.

By Ambika Singh Oct 10, 2026, 11:14 IST

Pollution's Toll on School Attendance

A recent report from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) highlights a concerning trend: in 2025, children and adolescents aged 5 to 18 lost a staggering 94,859 school days due to pollution from road transport.

The findings indicate that vehicular emissions in Gurugram are not only detrimental to children's health but also significantly disrupt their education. The lost school days equate to a full academic year for approximately 431 students. Furthermore, the study estimates that pollution from vehicles resulted in 89 new asthma cases among this age group, with private cars identified as the leading source of this pollution.

Understanding the Lost School Days

The reported figure of 94,859 lost school days does not imply that schools were closed; instead, it reflects the total number of days that individual students missed due to illnesses related to pollution. This cumulative data underscores the academic challenges faced by children who are unable to attend classes and engage in educational activities, highlighting the dual threat pollution poses to their health and learning.

Asthma Cases Linked to Pollution

89 New Asthma Cases

The ICCT's findings reveal that vehicular pollution in Gurugram was responsible for 89 new asthma cases among children and adolescents in 2025. Alarmingly, about 25% of these new asthma cases were attributed to air pollution from vehicles. Children are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of pollution due to their developing lungs and immune systems. Murthy Nair, a researcher at ICCT, emphasized the serious health risks posed by air pollution, particularly from road transport.

Vehicle Contribution to Air Pollution

What is the contribution of vehicles to Gurugram's air pollution?

The study indicates that road transport was responsible for 6% of PM2.5 exposure in the Gurugram Municipal Corporation area in 2025. Additionally, vehicles contributed to 20% of nitrogen dioxide exposure. Alarmingly, PM2.5 pollution levels from all sources exceeded World Health Organization guidelines in 41% of the area.

Private Cars: The Major Pollutants

Private cars: The biggest source of pollution

The ICCT report identifies private cars as the primary contributors to road transport pollution in Gurugram, with a ratio of 323 cars for every 1,000 residents. Notably, vehicles meeting BS-4 and BS-6 standards, which are newer models, accounted for over 80% of emissions, indicating that the pollution issue extends beyond older vehicles. Furthermore, approximately 500,000 vehicles enter Gurugram daily from Delhi and surrounding areas, necessitating a comprehensive approach to tackle pollution from both local and incoming vehicles.