India’s struggle with air pollution feels overwhelming most days, especially when winter smog settles over cities and turns the sky into a dull grey sheet. But another large and fast-growing country has already fought a similar battle and managed to make progress. China faced some of the world’s worst pollution a decade ago. In many cities, residents woke up to air that was unsafe to breathe. Today, several of those same cities report cleaner skies and lower levels of dangerous pollutants. The improvement did not happen overnight, but the steps China took offer India a useful starting point.
China’s turning point came around 2013, when public anger over pollution reached its peak. The government responded with a national action plan that focused on cutting emissions from the biggest sources. Coal was at the top of that list. China shut old coal plants, upgraded others with cleaner technology and pushed for a larger share of renewable power. It tightened rules for industries like steel, cement and chemicals, which had been releasing massive amounts of particulate matter and toxic gases. Heavy penalties pushed factories to clean up or shut down.
The second big move came from transport. China promoted electric mobility at a scale unmatched at the time. Large cities moved buses, taxis and government vehicles to electric fleets. Millions of electric two-wheelers entered the market. At the same time, fuel standards for petrol and diesel vehicles were raised, and older polluting vehicles were removed from the roads.
Another important part of China’s strategy was strict, real-time monitoring. Air quality data was made public across hundreds of cities. This transparency created pressure on local governments to perform better because people could see which cities were improving and which ones were not. Officials who failed to control pollution faced career consequences. This accountability structure pushed environmental action from the top right down to local authorities.
China also worked on dust control and greening. Construction, which was a major pollution source, was regulated more tightly. Sites had to use barriers, sprinklers and covering systems to prevent dust. Cities planted large green belts, restored old lakes and created new urban forests. These steps did not solve the problem on their own, but they helped stabilise pollution levels.
India, however, cannot simply copy China. Both countries have different political systems, economic pressures and levels of enforcement. But the principles behind China’s progress can still be adapted.
India’s biggest challenge is the scale of its air pollution problem spread across several sectors. Crop burning in the north, vehicular emissions in big cities, coal-powered industries, construction dust and household fuel use all combine to create severe air quality issues. To make meaningful progress, India would need coordinated action across states and ministries, not scattered efforts.
First, India can learn from China’s focus on cutting coal emissions. Phasing out older coal plants, improving emission norms and investing in clean energy can help. Second, rapid expansion of electric buses and two-wheelers can ease pressure from transport, especially in large cities. Third, consistent enforcement is key. Rules exist, but implementation is often weak. Better monitoring, transparent public data and accountability can change that.
Finally, public participation matters. China’s progress picked up speed when citizens demanded cleaner air. In India too, cleaner cities will require constant pressure from the public, along with support for policies that may be inconvenient in the short term but essential in the long run.
China’s story shows that a polluted country can turn things around. It takes political will, strong enforcement and a clear plan that tackles the biggest sources first. India’s path will be different, but the possibility of cleaner skies is not out of reach.
