Urban air pollution in India presents a complex governance challenge that extends beyond environmental degradation to encompass public-health risks, commercial impacts, and institutional accountability. Although India possesses a comprehensive legal framework through the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, enforcement remains weak due to sparse monitoring networks, fragmented regulatory institutions, and the absence of high-resolution, legally admissible data. This paper proposes a law–technology framework that integrates empirical air-pollution data with digital monitoring architectures to strengthen regulatory enforcement. Using a metropolitan dataset from 2020–2024—covering PM2.5, O₃, NO₂, SO₂ concentrations and respiratory-disease trends—the study demonstrates how pollution variability exposes the limitations of traditional compliance systems. It argues that calibrated IoT sensors, satellite observations, blockchain-based data governance, and AI-driven forecasting offer viable pathways for enhancing evidentiary integrity, proportionality, transparency, and real-time decision-making. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for statutory recognition of new monitoring technologies, digital compliance registries, institutional coordination mechanisms, and capacity building. By uniting empirical evidence with legal-technological design, the study illustrates how India can transition from reactive pollution control to preventive, accountable, and scientifically grounded air-quality governance.
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