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The Effect of Metro Expansions on Air Pollution in Delhi

Author

Listed:
  • Deepti Goel
  • Sonam Gupta

Abstract

The Delhi Metro (DM) is a mass rapid transit system serving the National Capital Region of India. It is also the world's first rail project to earn carbon credits under the Clean Development Mechanism of the United Nations for reductions in CO2 emissions. We analyze whether the DM led to localized reduction in three transportation source pollutants. Looking at the period 2004–2006, one of the larger rail extensions of the DM led to a 34 percent reduction in localized CO at a major traffic intersection in the city. Results for NO2 are also suggestive of a decline, while those for PM2.5 are inconclusive due to missing data. These impacts of pollutant reductions are for the short run. A complete accounting of all long run costs and benefits should be done before building capital intensive metro rail projects.

Suggested Citation

  • Deepti Goel & Sonam Gupta, 2017. "The Effect of Metro Expansions on Air Pollution in Delhi," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 31(1), pages 271-294.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:wbecrv:v:31:y:2017:i:1:p:271-294.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/wber/lhv056
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    Cited by:

    1. Valeriia Budiakivska & Luca Casolaro, 2018. "Please in my back yard: the private and public benefits of a new tram line in Florence," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 1161, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    2. Cropper, Maureen & Suri, Palak, 2024. "Measuring the air pollution benefits of public transport projects," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    3. Borck, Rainald & Mulder, Peter, 2024. "Energy policies and pollution in two developing country cities: A quantitative model," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    4. Dasgupta,Susmita & Lall,Somik V. & Wheeler,David, 2020. "Traffic, Air Pollution, and Distributional Impacts in Dar es Salaam : A Spatial Analysis with New Satellite Data," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9185, The World Bank.
    5. Shanlang Lin & Tian Yu & Junpei Huang, 2025. "Subway Openings and Urban Air Pollution Mitigation: Pathways to Sustainable Development in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-20, May.
    6. Cui, Yin & Li, Zhiyong & Sun, Yu & Sun, Weizheng, 2023. "Environmental performance of an urban passenger transport system and influencing factors: A case study of Tianjin, China," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    7. Li, Shanjun & Wang, Binglin & Zhou, Hui, 2024. "Decarbonizing passenger transportation in developing countries: Lessons and perspectives1," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    8. Albalate, Daniel & Borsati, Mattia & Gragera, Albert, 2024. "Free rides to cleaner air? Examining the impact of massive public transport fare discounts on air quality," Economics of Transportation, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).
    9. Yanez-Pagans, Patricia & Martinez, Daniel & Mitnik, Oscar A. & Scholl, Lynn & Vazquez, Antonia, 2018. "Urban Transport Systems in Latin America and the Caribbean: Challenges and Lessons Learned," IZA Discussion Papers 11812, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    10. Shengyan Xu & Yibo Chen & Miao Liu, 2025. "Can Urban Rail Transit in China Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions? An Investigation of the Resource Allocation Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-32, April.
    11. Patricia Yañez-Pagans & Daniel Martinez & Oscar A. Mitnik & Lynn Scholl & Antonia Vazquez, 2019. "Urban transport systems in Latin America and the Caribbean: lessons and challenges," Latin American Economic Review, Springer;Centro de Investigaciòn y Docencia Económica (CIDE), vol. 28(1), pages 1-25, December.

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    JEL classification:

    • Q5 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics
    • R4 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics

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