Chennai faces a unique pollution challenge – pollution levels that appear to be low or moderate, but are not so.

Actual impacts can be much more severe – says CSE analysis

• Unlike other mega cities, Chennai represents a different pollution challenge. Its annual average pollution levels -- though lower than other mega cities -- still vary between moderate to critical. Without the sea breeze in this coastal city, the peaks could have been worse
  
• Analysis by CSE exposes steady and rapid increase in pollution levels, high local impacts and high traces of toxics making its air dangerous to breathe
  
• Despite having better multi-modal public transport compared to many other mega cities, motorization rate is high. If two-wheelers are added then its personal motorization rate exceeds that of Western cities
  
• CSE’s assessment shows how car-centric infrastructure – flyovers, signal-free roads, foot overbridges – are converting zero emissions walk trips to long motorized trips adding enormously to pollution
  
• Over the last two decades, share of bus and train ridership has dropped drastically. The share of personal vehicle trips has increased 
  
• Chennai needs to quickly scale up public transport, integrated multi-modal transport options, car restraint policies and walking for clean air