ITDP India

Promoting sustainable and equitable transportation worldwide

Five e-Mobility Trends to Watch Out for in 2025! 

by

The future of mobility is electric – will 2025 be the year that accelerates the transition in India? The Indian electric vehicle (EV) market is roughly valued at INR 20 lakh crore, as per the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, with close to 55 lakh EVs on our roads today. The Minister also announced that by 2030 India’s electric vehicle market could grow to INR 20 trillion, with annual sales reaching 1 crore units, and create five crore jobs! In the next five years we can expect India to become the third largest automobile industry given the increasing demand for electric vehicles. This growth in EVs is driven by rising fuel costs, supportive regulations to meet climate targets, and incentives that are boosting manufacturing and affordability at both national and state levels. 

The next five years are crucial for India to meet its EV penetration target of 30% of the market share by 2030.  Building on the progress of 2024, 2025 has great potential if the momentum continues. If the India Union Budget 2025-2026 is any indication, the future looks bright for EV. The PM E-Bus Sewa Scheme saw a 160% increase in funding, offering bus subsidies and incentives for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to boost manufacturing, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. This growth is likely to create new manufacturing and job opportunities, fueling the industry’s expansion. Schemes supporting the development of charging infrastructure are also progressing steadily. However, maintaining year-on-year momentum is essential, which will require ongoing government support through robust policies, regulations, and better incentives. 

From the rising demand for electric vehicles to a greener public transport, let’s reflect on 2024’s key achievements and explore how 2025 is set to build on these efforts with five electrifying trends you won’t want to miss: 

1. Expansion of e-Bus Fleet with Maharashtra Leading the Way

With 9,700 public electric buses (e-bus) on the road as of December 2024, India has witnessed a mixed bag of achievements and challenges in the e-bus sector. While the funding for FAME II stopped, the national PM E-Bus Sewa Scheme gained momentum. The Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in 2023, aiming to deploy 10,000 e-buses across tier-2 and tier-3 cities through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Of the INR 983 crore sanctioned for 14 states, nearly half—INR 437 crore—was allocated to eight states in 2024, with Maharashtra receiving the largest share of INR 200 crore. 20 cities across Maharashtra will reap its benefits.  

Under the same initiative, in September 2024, the PM E-Bus Sewa Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) was approved, with a total outlay of INR 3,435.33 crore. This initiative was designed to support Public Transport Authorities (PTAs) in procuring and operating over 38,000 e-buses between FY 2024-25 and FY 2028-29. The scheme protects bus operators and manufacturers by guaranteeing they will still get paid even if PTAs fail to make their payments on time.  

With the scheme approved for 14 states and payment security mechanisms in place, Maharashtra could become a frontrunner in e-bus adoption. In addition, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is set to add 5,500 e-buses to its fleet, enhancing connectivity while reducing emissions. In Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) aims to achieve a 100% electric fleet by 2030, demonstrating a strong commitment to clean mobility. Additionally, under the PM E-Drive initiative, Mumbai and Pune are slated to receive over 2,000 e-buses, further strengthening their public transport systems.  

While Maharashtra’s efforts to procure e-buses through various central schemes are crucial and should be strategically scaled, a 2024 study by ITDP highlighted that the state severely lacks urban buses. This presents a significant opportunity for Maharashtra to bridge the gap by prioritising sustainable e-buses. 

In 2025, the state could see a substantial increase in e-bus procurement, enhancing public transport, reducing pollution, and setting a precedent for other states in India’s e-mobility journey. 

2. Gradual Transition of the Private Sector to e-Buses

The transition to electric private sector buses has been slow, but it’s essential. While public buses often get the spotlight, private operators own 93% of India’s 20 lakh buses. By 2030, demand for stage-carriage non-urban buses is projected at 7 lakh and urban buses at 3 lakh. To meet this, both public and private fleets need to grow, and private buses can help bridge the gap. 

In 2024, ITDP India worked with cities in Tamil Nadu and private operators to explore the market for electric buses.  The preliminary consultants showed that 60% of operators are open to leasing e-buses, provided low-cost financing, charging infrastructure, and policy reforms are in place. If these leasing reforms are implemented, Tamil Nadu could replace 1,500 old diesel buses with e-buses over three years, advancing its sustainable transport goals. 

Some progress was made at PRAWAAS 4.0 in 2024. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) showed interest in financing the private sector’s shift to e-mobility, while Sundaram Finance was keen on supporting the leasing model. Additionally, BasiGo, a well-established leasing company in Kenya, expressed interest in leasing e-buses in India, provided there are policy reforms in place. 

A private sector demand aggregation workshop in Erode

In 2025, if Tamil Nadu private operators, with the support of the state, successfully implement the leasing model, it could set a precedent for other states to drive private-sector electrification. 

3. Surge in EV Production and Tamil Nadu’s Emergence as the Hub 

India is going all in on EV manufacturing! Backed by the 2021 Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the automobile sector (PLI) with a budget of ₹25,938 crore (in 2023), 257 facilities have been approved across 17 states. Maharashtra leads with 77 facilities, followed by Tamil Nadu’s 46, with states like Haryana, Karnataka, and Gujarat also stepping up—showcasing India’s nationwide push for EV production.  

Though PLI funds are yet to be disbursed (as of Nov 2024), Tamil Nadu is already a magnet for EV manufacturers, producing 40% of India’s EVs, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and cars. In September 2024, Tata Motors launched its Ranipet plant, set to create 5,000 jobs, upskill the local community, and run operations entirely on renewable energy. Vietnamese EV manufacturer VinFast has also announced plans for a USD 2 billion plant in the state. Meanwhile, passenger vehicle manufacturers such as Hyundai (with an investment of INR 20,000 crore) and Stellantis (with INR 2,000 crore) are already laying the groundwork for their expansion in Tamil Nadu. 

In 2025, watch out for Tamil Nadu’s rise as India’s leading EV hub, with six cities—Coimbatore, Trichy, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Salem, and Chennai—set to become key centers for EV development. Backed by a skilled workforce, a strong network of suppliers, and a thriving auto manufacturing ecosystem, the state is well-positioned to lead the charge in India’s EV revolution. 

4. Expanding Charging Infrastructure to Keep Pace with the Demand

The increasing demand and supply of EVs also necessitates a parallel expansion of charging infrastructure across the country. To maintain an optimal ratio of one charger for every 40 electric vehicles, India will have to install over 4,00,000 charging stations annually, aiming for a cumulative total of 13.2 lakh by 2030, as per the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). 

At the national level, the PM E-Drive initiative also places a strong emphasis on expanding charging infrastructure. With plans to install over 72,300 chargers nationwide, the scheme aims to ensure seamless accessibility for all EV users in urban and rural areas alike. It also focuses on creating a network of chargers in strategic locations, including highways, cities, and transport hubs, facilitating long-distance travel and encouraging EV adoption.  

Adding to this momentum, the Ministry of Power’s comprehensive guidelines for battery swapping and charging stations (issued in January 2025) are paving the way for innovative models like “Battery as a Service” (BaaS). By enabling quicker battery replacement options and promoting safety and efficiency standards, these guidelines aim to streamline operations and attract investments in the EV ecosystem. 

At the state level, incentives are crucial for developing charging infrastructure. Each state’s Electric Vehicle (EV) policy offers incentives for charging infrastructure, which may include capital subsidies, building regulations, tariff concessions, renewable energy sources, and consumer interface of the EV network. As a result, India currently has 25,202 EV public charging stations, with Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh leading the way. Notably, the charging network is expanding rapidly into Tier 2 and 3 cities, seeing a 96% growth in FY24. Interestingly, 59% of the fast-charging points are now located in these cities, with over half positioned near national highways, improving connectivity and enabling long-distance travel. ITDP has been actively supporting states like Tamil Nadu in their efforts to developing roadmaps to implement robust charging infrastructure across the state. 

In 2025, India will expand its EV charging infrastructure through government initiatives like PM E-Drive and state-level incentives, encouraging both demand and supply growth. These efforts, along with private sector involvement, are making EV adoption more accessible and advancing sustainable transport across the country. 

5. Scaling Up E-Bus Production through Zero- Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandates

In 2024, ITDP conducted consultations with OEMs to address the need for scaling up e-bus production in India. A key finding revealed that most manufacturers can currently produce only up to 500 e-buses (per OEM) annually, compared to 15,000–20,000 Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) buses. With the current demand-side incentives and a 32% CAGR for e-bus sales (2021–2023), India is projected to achieve only 15% e-bus sales by 2030, as compared to the target of 40% by 2030. To meet the 2030 e-bus sales target, annual e-bus production and sales need to increase three times, requiring an average of 25,000 e-buses to be produced and sold each year. This highlights significant gaps in the supply chain and the need for regulatory changes to boost production capacity.  

India needs a ZEV mandate with a framework that should also include sales targets, incentives, penalties, and monitoring mechanisms for manufacturers. As India moves beyond subsidies, ZEV mandates are crucial for scaling up electrification. They can drive production, ensure accountability, and create a robust pathway to meet the country’s electrification goals. In 2025, adopting ZEV mandates could set the stage for transformative growth in the electric vehicle ecosystem. 

As India continues its electrification journey in 2025, the road ahead looks promising, with charging infrastructure, e-bus fleets, and private sector adoption all gearing up for a greener future. Key developments include Maharashtra’s push for e-buses, the nationwide expansion of charging stations, and Tamil Nadu emerging as a hub for EV production. With strong policy support, private sector involvement, and innovations like battery swapping and Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandates, 2025 is poised to accelerate India’s shift to sustainable electric mobility. Get ready—India’s EV revolution is accelerating fast! 

Written by Kashmira Dubash, Senior Programme Manager

Low Emission Zones: Breathing Life into Chennai’s Future

by

As appeared in the The New Indian Express

Chennai – from the bustling markets of T Nagar to the IT parks in OMR, is a city constantly on the move. But with every step forward, we seem to drag the weight of traffic and pollution along with us. Every day, hundreds of thousands of vehicles clog its arteries, choking the city with pollution, noise and traffic. Chennai’s roads see an addition of nearly 1.5 lakh vehicles every year. The result? Some days, the air we breathe in Chennai feels like smoking almost nine cigarettes every day. But what if we could create spaces where the air feels lighter, the roads free of traffic, and the sky a little clearer? One piece to this puzzle might lie in the concept that cities around the world, including some in India, are experimenting with – Low Emission Zones (LEZ), also often known as Clean Air Zones.
These zones typically limit highly polluting vehicles by either charging non-compliant ones or restricting the worst polluters, with penalties for violators. International cities like London, Milan, Seoul, Paris, Lima, and Beijing, have already embraced LEZs and Indian cities are not far behind

India’s LEZ Experiment: Hope on the Horizon

India is already exploring strategies to reduce urban pollution. Delhi’s Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) on commercial vehicles, Agra’s Zero Emission Zones (ZEZs) around the Taj Mahal, and Kevadiya’s restrictions on non-electric vehicles demonstrate proactive steps. Matheran banned all motor vehicles
to protect its ecosystem, while pedestrian zones (not classified as LEZs) in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk and Bengaluru’s Church Street show air quality improvements. Further, cities like Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar are trialling LEZs, prioritising area-wide interventions.

Why LEZs matter for Chennai

Staggering numbers on the Air Quality Index from cities like Delhi often overshadow narratives and make headlines, creating an impression that cities like Chennai do not have pressing air quality concerns. According to the Urban Emissions Report 2021, Chennai ranked among the top 10 cities in India with the worst air quality. Our everyday commute, especially through heavy traffic hotspots like T Nagar, Anna Salai, Kathipara junction, or Poonamallee High Road is not just stressful—it’s hazardous to our health, with exposure to dangerous levels of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Imagine the impact a LEZ could have in this situation. London’s ULEZ, launched in 2019, reduced nitrogen dioxide by 44% and traffic by 30%, with a 21% increase in cycling. Barcelona’s LEZ cut traffic by 30%, NO2 levels by 24%, and increased cycling by 15%. Santiago’s LEZ reduced central traffic by 20%, with particulate matter and NO2 levels dropping by 40% in some areas. What if Chennai could experience a similar transformation?

Encouragingly, Tamil Nadu’s State Planning Commission, in collaboration with the British Deputy High Commission, Chennai, recently came out with a report on Low Emission Zoning – A Toolkit for Chennai. It integrates best practices from the UK with a customised roadmap for Chennai, balancing community engagement with the city’s unique priorities and the complexities of rapid urbanisation.

This report further states that LEZs in Chennai could cut NO2 and PM2.5 levels by over 20%, significantly improving public health. LEZs go beyond cleaner air—they improve street efficiency by cutting congestion, especially during peak hours, making commutes more reliable and fast. Fewer vehicles also mean fewer accidents, a problem that Chennai’s packed roads know all too well. They also offer cities a chance to step-up and enhance streets for walking and cycling.

For LEZs to truly succeed, the city will also need reliable and improved public transport services. Collaborations with the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) Ltd (MTC) and the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) are crucial to ensure that these zones are supported with high-quality and high-frequency services to encourage people to choose sustainable and affordable alternatives while reducing resistance to these zones. By using enforcement mechanisms, whether through priced or non-priced LEZs, implementing these zones in Chennai would support the state-wide goals to boost the adoption of electric vehicles as outlined in its EV Policy. The change doesn’t have to happen overnight, but with the right policies and action, it could be gradually phased in.

A Roadmap for Chennai  

Turning this vision into reality requires a clear roadmap.

1. Designing the Zones with Data:  

LEZs must be backed by data-driven insights. Use vehicle emission surveys across the city, air quality sensors and real-time traffic data to identify the most polluted and congested zones to deliver visible improvements. Clear policies and regulations: State and city level administrators should leverage the recent Low Emission Zoning Toolkit, to create clear policies that enable enforceable measures and plans.

2. Engaging People:

Involving communities and creating champions amongst health care professionals and local community leaders and others to support the cause is important.

3. Political Will

In addition to frameworks and policies, LEZs need elected officials to champion implementation. They must align stakeholders and ensure these ideas are prioritised in budgets and planning.

4. Phased Rollout

Begin by implementing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) around areas like hospitals and schools.
As the improvements register in public consciousness, gradually, these zones can be expanded over a period of time, while encouraging the use of non-motorised mobility and making public transport more efficient

5. Measure Impact for Scale- Up

Track key metrics like air quality improvements, traffic reduction, and public transport adoption to evaluate success and expand programme.

LEZs offer a powerful, practical way to clear the air—figuratively and literally.
Let’s give Chennai the fresh breath it deserves.

Written by

Aswathy Dilip, Managing Director ITDP India, South Asia Director, Institute for Transportation and Development Policy

Sanjiv Gopal, Chief Strategy Officer, Asar

Union Budget 2025: Encouraging Push for Public Transport and E-Mobility, But Is It Enough? 

by

The latest Union Budget 2025-26 announcement by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 01, 2025 has shown continued support for public transport and e-mobility. This reflects the government’s commitment to sustainability.  

Here are the highlights in terms of allocations to promote more buses and electric mobility: 

Key Budget Allocations

  1. PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme: This scheme received Rs 1,310 crore (up from Rs 500 crore in 2024). This scheme aims to improve urban bus transport in India by providing nearly 10,000 urban buses to cities.  
  2. PM e-Drive Scheme: This new flagship scheme received an increased allocation from Rs 1,870 crore in 2024 to Rs 4,000 crore this year. This is a two-fold increase! The scheme will support in procuring 14,000 new e-buses, 1,10,000 e-rickshaws, e-trucks, and e-ambulances.  
  3. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) for Battery Storage: Under the overall push for PLI scheme, the National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage, received a small share with an allocation of Rs 155.76 crore. This helps reduce battery costs and promote EVs but could have been higher. 

However, when we compare these allocations to actual needs, the gap remains significant. 

A Huge Gap in Urban Buses

India needs 2,00,000 urban buses, but only 35,000 are operational (inclusive of e-buses). To bridge this, the union government scheme provides just 24,000 buses (10,000 from PM e-Bus Sewa and 14,000 from PM e-Drive throughout the duration of the entire scheme over multiple years). This is far below than what is required.  

Pic: A crowded bus in Bhubaneshwar. Owing to no major investments in public transport over the years, the passenger experience has been deteriorating

Metro Rail Funding vs Bus Funding

In the 2025 budget, one standout was how the metro rail funding increased significantly from Rs 24,000 crore to Rs 31,000 crore, with Rs 649 crore in grants. We at ITDP India wish a similar allocation was done for PM e-Bus Sewa to make a big impact on bus services in alignment with the actual need for buses.  

The budget supports public transport and e-mobility, but to truly transform urban mobility, more investment and better execution of schemes are needed. Over and above this, sustainable mobility also requires investment in walking and cycling infrastructure as well and we hope this happens soon! 

By Vaishali Singh, Programme Manager, ITDP India

With inputs from Parin Visariya, Venugopal AV, Donita Jose

A Marathon, Not a Sprint — Lessons from India’s Walking and Cycling Challenges

by

As published in the Sustainable Transport Magazine

As we close the chapter on two of India’s landmark mobility initiatives, the India Cycles4Change (C4C) and Streets4People Challenges (S4P), there is much to celebrate from this transformative four-year journey. Four years is also the time it takes to prepare for the Olympics, and just as the world has witnessed the spirit of the 2024 Paris Summer Games, these efforts share many things in common. Just like Olympic athletes need consistent training and resources to shine on the global stage, Indian cities received continuous support and guidance to shine throughout these Challenges. With help from national and local experts, they built a network of partners, engaged with their community, and strengthened their capacity through open dialogue and collaboration, ensuring they had everything they needed to create safer and more accessible streets for all. 

In 2020, India’s Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), and ITDP India collaboratively launched the India Cyles4Change and Streets4People Challenges with a vision to transform Indian cities with improved walking and cycling infrastructure. Many of India’s streets have become increasingly dangerous for the most vulnerable, with pedestrians accounting for 20% of road fatalities in 2022, according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. This is a staggering 32,800 lives lost. Also, India’s air pollution and quality ranks among the worst in the world. To combat this, we need more people to choose walking and cycling over private vehicles where possible. Cities must create a safer and more conducive environment for both new and existing pedestrians and cyclists for this shift to happen.  

However, at the onset of the two Challenges, the team began to realize that expecting quick on-ground transformation was fairly ambitious. While 117 cities signed up for the Challenges, they were all at different points in their journeys, with respect to their understanding of sustainable mobility, resources, infrastructure, geography, and institutional ecosystems. Even though this was a friendly and healthy competition, fairness would be compromised if the participants started from different points. Thus, the team went back to the drawing board and changed the rules of the game itself. It was no longer just about the scale of on-the-ground transformations; equally important would be promoting the dialogue around walking and cycling, improving community engagement, and building a stronger foundation for capacity building and institutional reform. Over the next few years, these programs became a marathon, rather than a sprint. 

The Streets4People Challenge reimagined city streets as places for civic engagement. Image: Smart Cities Mission / ITDP India


The government and ITDP India began by channeling the focus on three aspects that ensured our efforts were sustained throughout the four years. One, by creating an ecosystem of champions from city leaders to local communities for support; two, by encouraging cities to engage with citizens to get their buy-in at the onset; and three, by building their technical capacities at regular intervals in the most innovative way possible.  The true success of these Challenges came from lasting lessons that have set the cities on a course for change for years to come.

At the beginning of the Challenges, cities were required to pilot interventions locally and gather community feedback before making them permanent interventions. Many successfully implemented changes using tactical urbanism to test designs that could be adjusted based on how people engaged with spaces. For instance, the city of Kohima transformed an old parking lot into a vibrant community space for pedestrians and cyclists, featuring food vendors, pop-up seating, colorful artwork, and new landscaping. They also programmed street carnivals and engagement activities to activate the community within the space. Some cities that lacked such expertise connected with support from partners such as civil society organizations, design experts, resident groups, and cycling advocates. The success of these partnerships underscored the importance of creating local communities of champions as knowledgeable stakeholders who could guide cities through the design and implementation process, ensuring that efforts were both sustainable and impactful. 

While this was happening at the city-level, a burgeoning ecosystem was also taking shape at the national level with these Challenges. The commitment to promoting active mobility had full support from the national Ministry, driven by strong leadership that believed in the cause. It became evident that many city leaders were inspired to become champions after seeing the dedication of the Ministry. The national ecosystem was further strengthened by the collaboration with organizations  like ITDP India, which played a crucial role in providing technical expertise. This guaranteed that, while cities had the financial and national support to implement the Challenges, they could also benefit from strong technical guidance to ensure their concerns were addressed throughout the process.  

Of course, no best practice can be formed without citizen and  public engagement. Cities initially faced challenges in motivating their people, shifting perceptions, and breaking stereotypes  
around cycling and walking. Many residents did not view these as practical alternatives to personal vehicles and resistance to streetscape changes made progress challenging. However, as the  
programs progressed, engaging communities in decision-making was crucial to fostering a sense of ownership, leading to greater acceptance and behavior change. Take the city of Davanagere,  
for example. They ran a creative campaign that made cycling ‘cool’ again with themed merchandise, bike rallies, and citywide promotions. Local residents soon embraced cycling en masse,  
rallying behind the vision for safer, more sustainable mobility. That is the power of bringing people along for the ride.

The Cycles4Change Challenge encouraged cities to improve safe, connected cycling infrastructure. Image: Smart Cities Mission / ITDP India

Each city’s own growth remained at heart of this work, which is why building capacity was crucial for the success of these Challenges. Having the right support to build expertise and skillsets for cities was part of a winning strategy. Throughout the Challenges, ITDP India helped host 18 sessions for cities, including national Healthy Streets and Public Spaces workshops in cities like Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Pimpri Chinchwad, and interactive design clinics for city leaders to receive input from experts. Over 85 toolkits and technical resources on planning, budgeting, and infrastructure were developed and disseminated during these workshops.

To make capacity building even more engaging, ITDP India also introduced an innovative game during these workshops. This fun and interactive approach helped city leaders learn how to  
develop a Healthy Streets Plan, map out a multi-year action plan, and identify key interventions in three crucial areas: action, foundation, and communication. This ‘gamification’ strategy  
helped the leaders immerse themselves in a hands-on learning experience, moving beyond traditional presentations to explore the complexities of sustainable mobility. 

By January 2024, 15 cities emerged as leaders, with many others making great strides in changing their streets. Across 33 cities, over 350 kilometers of improved footpaths and more than 220 kilometers of cycle tracks were developed, while 48 cities launched projects to revamp over 1,400 kilometers of streets. Plus, 15 cities adopted Healthy Streets Policies, 18 set up dedicated Healthy Streets groups, and 17 developed their three-year action plans. To top it off, 33 cities formed Apex Committees to keep the momentum going with future collaboration.

As we close the transformative chapter of the Cycles4Change and Streets4People Challenges, these initiatives have set the stage for long-term change nationwide. Success was not merely about achieving quick wins; it was about laying the groundwork for resilience by mainstreaming dialogues, building capacity, and fostering an ecosystem of walking and cycling champions.

Like coaches preparing a team for victory, the Ministry and ITDP India helped lay a solid foundation for scaling walking and cycling options across India. Now, it is important for the national government to capitalize on this momentum by allocating more budgets and strengthening policies and institutional reforms in favor of safe, equitable streets for everyone. Let the next  Challenge begin!  

Written by Kashmir Medhora Dubhash, Senior Programme Manager – Communications, Partnerships and Development

Technical inputs Smritika Srinivasan, Senior Associate – Urban Development

Are 15 minute cities, the pathway to sustainable urban mobility?

by

As India’s cities expand and urban challenges like congestion, pollution, and inequitable access intensify, the concept of 15-minute cities offers a promising vision for the future. Imagine a city where basic amenities, work opportunities, and recreational spaces are all accessible within a short 15-minute walk or bike ride.

But how realistic is this vision for India? What steps are needed to turn it into reality? Cities like Pimpri Chinchwad, Surat, and Srinagar are already making strides to improve equitable access, but scaling this idea nationally requires more than just ambitious plans. It demands thoughtful implementation, community buy-in, and a focus on high-quality infrastructure.

At the 17th Urban Mobility India Conference and Expo, held in Gandhinagar on October 26, experts came together in a panel discussion organised by ITDP India and Arcadis to explore Building 15-Minute Cities: Pathway to a Sustainable Urban Mobility Future.

Moderated by Aswathy Dilip, Managing Director, ITDP India, the roundtable underscored a crucial point: making cities walkable and cyclable isn’t enough—those options must be implemented at a standard that genuinely encourages people to use them.

Check out this infographic blog for a detailed overview of the session and the main insights from the speakers:

Conceptualised and Designed by Varsha Jeyapandi

10 Impactful Solutions to Improve India’s Air Quality

by

Air pollution in India has reached a tipping point, threatening the health and well-being of millions. Amid this growing crisis, one promising solution is the implementation of Low Emission Zones (LEZs)—designated areas where polluting vehicles are restricted to curb emissions and improve air quality. To help cities across India tackle this issue, ITDP India recently launched Low Emission Zone Basics, a comprehensive guide for creating cleaner, healthier urban environments. 

At the launch, experts from global organisations shared crucial insights on how LEZs can play a pivotal role in addressing air pollution, while also offering policy recommendations to guide India’s path to cleaner air. From improving data collection to enhancing public transport and promoting localised climate action, these strategies provide a roadmap for urgent and effective change. Read on for key takeaways from the experts who are shaping the future of India’s air quality. 

The experts include, Shashi Verma, Chief Technology Officer, Transport for London (TfL); Dr. Anju Goel, Associate Director at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI); Parin Visariya, Deputy Manager at ITDP India; Dr. Sandra Wappelhorst, Senior Researcher at The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), Berlin;  Sree Kumar Kumaraswamy, Program Director at World Resources Institute (WRI); and Dr. Vivek Vaidyanathan, Program Manager at Artha Global. 

1. Better research on sources of air pollution

Central government must invest in better collection and dissemination of data and research on the sources of pollution. To date, the public debate around pollution in India is clouded in fog with some suggesting it is because of Diwali and some suggesting is because of crop burning, which is fundamentally not true. Air pollution in Gangetic plains is far more complex and getting better evidence is something central government can work on – Shashi Verma, Chief Technology Officer, Transport for London (TfL)    

2. Need for multiple interventions

London’s air quality success stems from a series of cumulative interventions since the 1950s, starting with banning coal burning, introducing clean diesel programmes, and expanding LEZs. A major contributor to improvement was increasing the mode share of sustainable transport, which reduced overall vehicle numbers. The broader lesson is to have a comprehensive approach in addressing multiple sources of pollution. – Shashi Verma, Chief Technology Officer, Transport for London (TfL) 

3. State government must approve LEZs 

Pimpri Chinchwad, in Maharashtra has decided to implement an Environmental Protection Charge ranging from ₹100-750, for polluting vehicles entering the LEZs. But the enforcement of this requires collaboration with the Road Transport Officials (RTOs) and traffic departments. Currently, there is no provision within the transport department to address such violations, making the need for an enforcement mechanism essential. State-level approvals and notifications are also necessary to formally designate the area as a LEZ. State governments must play a supportive role by bringing all stakeholders together to develop a clear, actionable plan. – Parin Visariya, Deputy Manager at ITDP India 

4. Improve public transport

Public transport connectivity in most cities remains inadequate and requires significant upgrades. State support is crucial to ensure there is an increase in the number of buses and improvement in the overall network. – Parin Visariya, Deputy Manager at ITDP India

5. Package LEZs for health

One way to get faster acceptance of concepts like LEZs is to make the stakeholders focus on how it will improve health. Talking about its benefits in sensitive areas in terms of schools, places of worship, hospitals, works well in convincing city authorities to take this up. – Dr. Vivek Vaidyanathan, Program Manager at Artha Global 

6. Focus on funding clean air in rural areas

Currently the National Clean Air Programme funds go only to urban local bodies, where the concerns are more about road dust, vehicular emissions etc. But when it comes to rural areas, these funds are not applicable. Here the sources of pollution are also different like biomass burning. This is when state governments need to pitch in. Having only NCAP as a funding source won’t solve the problem. We need various other state level schemes.  – Dr. Anju Goel, Associate Director at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) 

7. Budget for climate at municipality levels

Cities must explore ways to tap into their existing municipal budget to start climate works. If all departments commit some amount to climate, it can be a starting point with no need to look outside for funds. For instance, in most municipalities, the roads budget is the highest- so it can be leveraged to implement action to create clean air. – Sree Kumar Kumaraswamy, Program Director at World Resources Institute (WRI) 

8. Develop state-level schemes

States must come up with innovative mechanisms like the Majhi Vasundhara initiative in Maharashtra where the state has decentralised climate action. Now be it a village or a city, through their own means, they can take up small ticket projects that work towards climate action. This kind of model of sourcing innovation from the ground up is an excellent example and state can play a facilitating role to enable thinking innovatively. – Sree Kumar Kumaraswamy, Program Director at World Resources Institute (WRI) 

9. Focus on creating a good narrative

Create a phased and gradual LEZ plan with clear timelines to allow citizens and businesses to have time to adapt. Offer financial assistance to low-income groups and small businesses to transition to compliant vehicles. Develop mobility programs like air bonuses to encourage alternatives to car ownership. Speak to all stakeholders and communicate the programme. – Dr. Sandra Wappelhorst, Senior Researcher at The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), Berlin 

10. Start with CPCBs and non-attainment cities

When working with state governments, the Central Pollution Control Board is a good entry point, wherein they can enact some of the state-wide regulations and laws that’s applicable to all non-attainment cities. – Dr. Vivek Vaidyanathan, Program Manager at Artha Global

Low Emission Zone Basics

Written by Donita Jose, Senior Associate, Communications and Development, ITDP India

Are Indian Cities Budgeting Enough for Sustainable Transport? A Case from Pimpri Chinchwad

by

(Part 1 of Municipal Budget Analysis Series)

Annual municipal budgets shape how the city’s resources- the taxpayers’ money- are allocated to shape the city and in turn serve its residents. However, the question arises: do the city’s annual budgets reflect investments in mobility for cleaner air and congestion-free streets, which have been challenging for most cities? Such budget allocations are even more critical for rapidly urbanising Indian cities. 

Pimpri Chinchwad is one of India’s fastest-growing tier-2 cities. Through its ambitious policies, plans, and projects, Pimpri Chinchwad has been actively striving to build a robust sustainable urban mobility system in the city.  Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) bold policies, including the Non-Motorised Transport Policy (2021) and Pune Metropolitan Region’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan (2018), aim for 90% of trips to be made by walking, cycling, or public transport by 2036. PCMC also aims to reduce private vehicle trips by 18%, focusing on a fair distribution of road space between all users and a shift towards sustainable urban transport modes such as walking, cycling, and public transport. However, as per Parivahan data, with nearly 90 vehicles per 100 residents, congestion, road safety, and air quality remain major challenges.  

PCMC is well aware of this alarming figure and is making every effort to address it. With the further expansions of the existing 54 km of Bus Rapid Transit and the 7 km of Metro, along with 16 km of suburban rail, and more than 100+ km of redesigned healthy streets, the city is reshaping how people move.  

While in the last decade, the city has made strides with its sustainable transport initiatives, how can we ensure it remains committed to creating safer streets, reducing congestion and improving air quality? 

One key indicator of the city’s commitment to its sustainable transport goals is how much allocation of the municipal funds goes to various transport modes, especially the sustainable ones – walking, cycling, and public transport.  

PCMC collaborated with ITDP India to analyse the city’s annual budget allocations from 2022-23 to 2024-25 (across a period of three years) focusing on mobility projects in the city. In June 2024, ITDP launched the ‘PCMC Municipal Budget Analysis Report’ capturing the insights from this research project. 

Why was the study conducted?

The study was conducted to gain a nuanced understanding of historical budget allocation trends, assess current allocation patterns, and identify gaps and opportunities for future provisions towards urban mobility. It aimed to establish a detailed report of funding requirements through projections and provide informed recommendations to enhance the upcoming annual mobility budget allocations. Additionally, this study was undertaken in response to the lack of such detailed case studies in India, highlighting the need for more structured approaches to urban mobility budgeting and planning. 

How did we do it?

The team meticulously examined the city’s annual budgets for the past three years, scrutinising each line item related to transport and categorising them into ‘sustainable and non-sustainable modes’ of transport. Sustainable modes include projects that encourage walk, cycle, and use of public transport. Non-sustainable modes include items which encourage use of private motor vehicles and prioritise private vehicle movement over other sustainable modes. 

What were the key observations?

1. Transport allocations inching towards its sustainable transport goals 

With a total municipal budget of ₹8,676 crore, PCMC has one of the highest per capita budgets allocated in the state. In 2024-25, 17% (₹1475.4 crore) of the annual budget was allocated to transport– an increase in proportion to the overall increase in municipal budget as compared to the previous year. Additionally, over half of the current transport budget is now allocated to sustainable transport infrastructure, up from 48% (₹540 crore) to 56% (₹818 crore) as compared to the previous year. 

Graph showing an upward trend in PCMC’s annual transport allocations, along with the sustainable and non-sustainable allocation split 

2. Significant increase in allocation towards walking-cycling infrastructure 

The non-motorised transport (NMT) budget allocation of ₹439.7 crore accounts for more than half of the sustainable transport budget and one-third of the entire transport budget! As compared to the previous years, the city has more than doubled its allocation towards NMT from ₹217.9 crore in 2023-24 to ₹439.7 crore in 2024-25 which is a move in right direction. This shift is mainly due to the allocations for the ambitious ‘Harit Setu’ project that aims to make PCMC a 15-minute walking-cycling neighbourhood city and ‘Urban Streetscapes Programme’ (USP). In addition, this also includes allocations for initiatives like cycle sharing systems, parking management, and maintenance of infrastructure. 

Sankey graph showing the detailed transport allocations for the year 2024-25

However, PCMC needs to allocate a similar amount consistently every year towards creation of footpaths and cycle tracks to achieve the goal of 90% of all trips by sustainable modes by 2036. This budget will support the transformation of 25 km of major streets and 100 km of minor streets each year. Only by maintaining this aggressive pace, can PCMC systematically transform its streets over time and move closer to achieving the NMT Policy’s targets. 

3. Need for more investment in public transport 

While there have been significant efforts to improve walking and cycling, there is a gap in funding for more public buses. There is still a need to make buses more accessible to everyone. The city funds its public bus system by providing Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to the city’s transport undertaking – Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML). However, the city’s budget allocation for buses has seen a slower increase, rising from ₹231 crore in 2022-23 to ₹359 crore in 2024-25 for buses over the four years. According to PMPML’s Vision 2027, the city currently has around 26 buses per lakh population, which is half of the national guideline of 60 buses per lakh population and an exponential increase is needed to meet these goals. In addition to the operational expenditures, PCMC needs to allocate an estimated ₹730 crore annually to achieve target bus fleet of 2850 size (as per the recommended MoHUA standards) by 2030. 

Comparative chart showing the non-sustainable and public transport allocation trends 

4. Car-centric investments still dominate the budget 

As one of the fastest-growing cities, Pimpri Chinchwad has also prioritised the development of new streets to ensure connections to the new villages. As a result, the private motor-vehicle-centric road expenditure is reasonably high. It is critical for such cities to ensure this new development is equitable and caters to the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport. The allocation of budget for car-centric infrastructure, such as flyovers and multi-level car parks, is consistently high. At ₹657 crore, PCMC is allocating twice as much for non-sustainable transport than that for public transport. Surprisingly, some programs, like Sustainable Urban Transport Projects (SUTP) and Urban Transport Funds (UTF), earmarked for sustainable development have budgetary provisions for car-centric projects. A 100% of the ₹4.5 crore under SUTP and 51.6% of the ₹262.5 crore under UTF are allocated towards non-sustainable transport projects like carriageway and flyover development. 

In a Nutshell

The substantial doubling of funding for walking and cycling projects highlights PCMC’s commitment to its NMT Policy goals. However, public transport remains underfunded with a visible shortfall of buses and a dire need for improved quality of service in the city. On the contrary, car-centric projects continue to receive disproportionately high funding. To achieve its goals, PCMC should not only increase funding for sustainable transport initiatives but also simultaneously reduce the allocations for high-value car-centric infrastructure. This can be achieved through reallocation of existing budgets towards sustainable transport projects. 

The study also provides recommendations for a sustainable transport-focused budget, exploring innovative revenue sources like parking management, municipal bonds, national and international grants. It also emphasises the need to consistently allocate budgets for walking, cycling, and public transport projects to help PCMC maintain its status as a leader in sustainable transport in India.  

Since presenting the findings at the Smart Cities Mission’s National Conference in January 2024, the team has also been focusing on helping cities with securing additional funding through this data-driven approach. In the next blog in the series, we’ll take a deep dive into the process of the budget analysis including methodology, limitations, and the challenges faced while conducting the study. Stay tuned! 

Written by Donita Jose, Senior Associate Communications

Edited and technical inputs by Rutuja Nivate, Associate- Urban Development and Pranjal Kulkarni, Programme Manager – Healthy Streets and Compact Cities

Learning from Play: Designing an Urban Street Design Game (Part 2) 

by

For everyone who thinks managing urban transport is serious business, and not fun and games, we are back to say it can be both! 

A few months ago, we wrote a blog on how to design an urban transport game. In the blog, we captured our learnings of gamifying the process of developing long-term plans for Healthy Streets. We did this so others can learn from the process and build on it. Well, this is our way of giving back, having learned from and built upon the expertise and experience of many other organisations in this field.  

This is another such attempt to document our journey with a new game – Getting Your Street Design Right. In this blog, we elaborate on how we gamified the process of developing good street designs. 

This game was played on 31st May, 2024, with 70 engineers of Greater Chennai Corporation at an inter-departmental workshop. Here’s how it was developed.

Engineers from the Greater Chennai Corporation playing the game during the Inter-departmental workshop

Drawing Inspiration from Experts

In our quest to strategise the next game on getting street design right, we came across Global Designing Cities Initiative’s (GDCI) work. In 2023, GDCI hosted an interactive workshop with nearly 40 participants from Renca and Cerrillos (municipalities in Chile). During this workshop, city officials redesigned an intersection using puzzle pieces that represented key street sections such as bus lanes, cycle tracks, curb extensions for play, commerce, and pedestrian crossings. What a great idea! Inspired by their approach and drawing from our own experience, we started out designing our next game.

Crafting a Clear Intent

Having designed multiple games and hands-on exercises in the past, we knew that getting our intent right was key to designing this game. Street design is a vast subject, and with limited time, we had to focus on specific areas and key takeaways for the participants—the city engineers. Here’s what we wanted them to take away from the game:

  1. Grasp the basics of street design – Our participants were city engineers who were familiar with street design. However, they needed guidance on the right principles that would make their projects more impactful and long-lasting. Hence, we decided to focus on the basics, which could then be incorporated even in their ongoing projects for better impact.  
  2. Understand the reasoning behind the standards – Simply sharing information was not enough. Without understanding why certain street design standards are recommended, there’s always resistance to change. Hence it was necessary to establish the reasoning through the game, making it easier to grasp.
  3. Foster collaboration across departments – Different departments involved in street design have their own perspectives and processes. It was important to bring them together and get them to collaborate.  

In short, we designed the game to simplify street design while making it fun, insightful, and collaborative.  

Establishing Gaming Principles 

To understand the design of street elements—footpaths, carriageway, landscaping, bus stops, street furniture, utilities, etc.—better, we wanted participants to explore redesigning a street. With this as the base, we structured the game on the following principles: 

  • Allow for mistakes and fixes – We wanted the participants to see how their current approach to street design wasn’t effectively addressing on-ground challenges. Hence, the game was structured in two rounds—one, where they design the street as usual, and two where they rectify their design based on the best practices. 
  • Evaluate the design and learn – To get participants to fix their designs, we needed them to understand the design gaps and why it was considered so. For this, we introduced a design evaluation round for them to understand the reasoning behind the street design standards.  
  • Reward players – It was established up-front that this game would have no winners. But where’s the fun in that? To keep the excitement going and to celebrate the teams for getting some aspects of street design right, we introduced badges! Each badge represented a key element to street design and winning that badge meant they designed that element well. Each team needed to win all six badges to unlock a “Healthy Streets Badge”.
The different kind of badges awarded to the participants after each round of play

Detailing the Game

From our past experience, playing the game in groups, especially smaller ones, is most effective to hear different ideas. We decided to play this game in groups of 6-8 participants, creating an interactive approach for participants to learn by doing. Here’s how the game played out:

1. The Playing Board

We started by creating a fictional street, Malgudi Salai (Malgudi Street, in Tamil) and developed a plan view of an 80m stretch of this street, on the playing board. To keep it as realistic as possible, we depicted broken footpaths, varying carriageway widths, parking encroachments, large intersections, etc. on the playing board. Common pedestrian issues were also identified on the board to make it easier for the participants to understand the context and resolve them through design. 

2. Context Sheets

To help participants visualise the street , we developed additional information for Malgudi Salai. We included street photographs (of streets with similar character), land-use, and it’s location in the city.  

A sample of the context sheets provided to the participants
A sample of the context sheets provided in the form of photos

3. The Game Pieces

The elements of street design were our game pieces. Since we wanted players to learn from their mistakes, we developed the street elements of varying dimensions, including some that did not meet standards. This way the players had a variety of pieces of the same street element to choose from. We were also curious to know which ones they would pick in an ideal design scenario.

A list of street-element cutouts handed over to the participants as game pieces

4. The evaluation matrix and characters

To make the game more engaging, we introduced two fictional pedestrian characters—Thangavel, a person with disability, and Kamala, a caregiver—who frequently used Malgudi Salai. Through their journey, we highlighted specific street issues, such as Thangavel struggling to navigate a broken footpath with his wheelchair. These scenarios helped participants understand the street issues from the characters’ perspectives. We shared an evaluation matrix which helped the teams evaluate their designs, keeping in mind the needs of Thangavel and Kamala. The evaluation matrix was a set of questions to check if a particular street design element was designed correctly. 

The two game characters and a sample of the evaluation sheet

5. The right process

After the players designed the street and evaluated their designs, it was time to fix it. For this, they needed guidance on best practice of street design. So, before the teams modified their designs, we provided a step-by-step guide on how to redesign their streets. This was followed by another round of evaluation, and then the awarding of the Healthy Streets Badges.  

Rolling out the Game 

The capacity-building workshop had representatives from departments including the Bus Route Roads, Stormwater Drains, and Special Projects, along with Zonal engineers. We split them into groups of 10, making sure each group had representatives from different departments.  
 
And then, game on! The team dived right into Round 1, working together to come up with a design solution for Malgudi Salai. We witnessed participants engage in healthy debates over minimum standards of the street elements.  
 
After 15 minutes of play, the designs were complete and then came the moment of truth—the evaluation and handing over of badges. All groups got a minimum of two aspects of street design right, qualifying for atleast two badges. However, since they did not incorporate all elements of street design, they did not qualify for the Healthy Streets badge. This quickly made them realise that just fixing one or two aspects of the street doesn’t yield the impact they expect.  We eventually informed them that they had an opportunity to win the Healthy Streets badge in Round 2 by following a secret recipe! The energy in the room shifted—they were now pumped to pay attention to the guidance (the secret recipe) we provided on the right street design practices.  

As the participants worked on Round 2, following the guidance provided, they even remembered to add access ramps for Thangavel’s wheelchair, without our nudges! They also realised that by making small modifications to their approach, like starting off with identifying the centreline of the street and fixing uniform carriageway widths, they were able to accommodate wider pedestrian infrastructure. They could do all this without compromising on other elements.  

As a result, all teams qualified for a Healthy Streets badge by following the not-so-secret-anymore recipe! The players actively referred to the evaluation matrix and the guidance to ensure they got their designs right. This went on to show us that even a simple game like this can be so impactful.  

Glimpses from the game play at the workshop

Conclusion 

Just like our game play in 2023, we once again saw how powerful and transformative games can be. The process of developing the game and especially the positive response of city officials to the game makes us hopeful about the future of streets in our cities. Through such continued engagements, we hope to make Healthy Streets a reality and enable our cities to create impactful transformations on the ground. 

We leave you with this – there is hope for the streets in our cities. The game is far from over. 

Written by Smritika Srinivasan, Senior Associate – Urban Development

Edited by Donita Jose, Senior Associate – Communications

Three Things Indian Cities Need to do Now to Start the Fight Against Vehicular Pollution 

by

“Winter is coming”—a phrase made famous by the sitcom series Game of Thrones—has found an eerie resonance in India. Much like how the people of Winterfell dreaded the arrival of winter and the mythical evil creatures- the White Walkers, in India, it is not a creature, but the polluted air itself, that is dreaded.  

Though it’s barely November, a thick layer of pollutants is already blanketing the skies, and all eyes are searching for the culprits. Is it construction waste, crackers, or crop burning? However, one source, which remains largely overlooked, and often slides through the cracks, while continuing to remain the biggest challenge- is vehicular pollution. A recent study by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology confirms this. Conducted in the month of October 2024, the study revealed that stubble burning contributed only 1-2% of Delhi’s total air pollution in the month, while vehicular emissions accounted for a significant 11.2% – 14.2%. This makes vehicle emissions the single biggest identifiable, yet silent contributor to poor air quality, which affects the Indian cities not just in winter but year-round—making it the most urgent problem to address. 

Infact, studies being released year after year all indicate how rapidly the situation is deteriorating. The latest report reiterating this, is the Greenpeace report, which spotlights the alarming situation in South Indian cities specifically, which conventionally were believed to have cleaner air. The data from this report suggests the PM2.5 level in these cities is also no better for living standards, with a few like Hyderabad, Chennai, and Visakhapatnam, seeing levels up to 9- 10 times higher than WHO standard. As explained above, a significant part of these rising pollution levels is contributed by the growing population of vehicles.  

While the sustainable transport sector has long advocated for walking, cycling, public transport, and clean vehicle technology as solutions, it is clear that combating vehicular pollution requires a multifaceted approach beyond that. This blog outlines three key Mantras (strategies) that cities can adopt right now to tackle this growing menace. Some of these have already been implemented/ in the process of implementation in our lighthouse city, Pimpri Chinchwad, which stands as a good example for many other growing Indian cities. 

1. Shift to sustainable modes such as walking, cycling, and public transport  

First, cities should focus on creating not just isolated stretches but comprehensive networks of footpaths and cycle tracks. A well-connected network makes sustainable transport options more convenient and accessible, encouraging people to shift to these modes.  

However, providing just infrastructure may not be enough in most cases. Cities must invest in raising awareness through campaigns to nudge behavior change. Policies and legislative reforms are also crucial to embedding these practices into the city’s fabric. 

What’s a good model to emulate? Many global cities, such as Singapore, have initiated the concept of 15-minute cities. Some Indian Cities have had the chance to adopt this concept, leveraging existing initiatives like the Harit Setu project in Pimpri Chinchwad, which aims to enhance walking and cycling infrastructure in the city. Here, the plan is to make a localised network of connected footpaths and cycling tracks within smaller neighbourhoods, across the city so that people can simply opt to walk or cycle for short distances. Through such interventions, they also get sustainable options for last- mile connectivity. 

A glimpse of Linear Garden street, one of the ideal streets in PCMC which prioritises pedestrians and cyclists

However, while walking and cycling provide a sustainable alternative for short trips, they alone will not reduce congestion or pollution. For longer trips, more and better buses which connect the many networks of roads are the need of the hour to alleviate pollution and congestion. Moreover, improving bus services, including their frequency, reliability, and coverage, is crucial. Buses should seamlessly integrate with other transport modes, such as metro systems, footpaths, and cycle tracks, creating a comprehensive and efficient transport network. This interconnectedness enables commuters to make longer journeys more conveniently, thus making public transport a more attractive option. 

While these suggestions might shift a chunk of road users to sustainable modes, there will still be a section who would opt to use personal/private vehicles for travel because of its convenience. To address the emission concerns for that segment, incentivising cleaner vehicles will be an option.  

2. Incentivise people to use cleaner vehicles

Alongside promoting sustainable modes of transport, cities need to encourage the use of cleaner vehicles. This can be done in three ways: transitioning to cleaner technologies, scrapping older polluting vehicles, and building robust electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. 

India has already taken a step in this direction by adopting Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) emission standards, which significantly reduce emissions from new vehicles. However, cities can push this further by promoting electric vehicles (EVs). Local governments should implement strong scrappage policies that incentivise owners of older, polluting vehicles to retire and scrap them in exchange for financial benefits or rebates on EVs.  

Cities also need to upscale their EV infrastructure, particularly by setting up widespread charging stations. A comprehensive EV Readiness Plan can guide cities in developing this infrastructure and ensuring that the transition to EVs is smooth and well-supported. 

For example, Pimpri Chinchwad’s Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan 2023 outlines some of these, by setting a goal of having 30% of the new vehicle registrations in city shift to EV by 2026.  They are doing so by establishing 100 EV charging stations and offering incentives for e-auto drivers. Property tax rebates are also being offered to those setting up charging point in their properties. Furthermore, the PCMC’s and Pune’s shared bus service, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML), already operates 473 e-buses—India’s third-largest fleet—and is continuing to expand its fleet. These efforts – both on the front improved vehicle technology and on the front of emission reduction through improved public transport, not only reduce emissions but also set the stage for a future where EVs become the primary mode of motorised transport. 

Cities infact can go a step further, to effectively promote the use of cleaner vehicles. They can go for a dual approach of simultaneously making it more challenging to rely on personal vehicles.  

An electric bus from PMPML fleet

3. Discourage the use of personal vehicles through pricing parking and LEZs 

Cities must make it harder for people to rely on private vehicles, especially older, polluting models. Two effective ways to achieve this are by pricing parking and establishing Low Emission Zones (LEZs). 

Proper parking management can reduce the number of vehicles on the road by making it expensive to park in public spaces. When parking fees are levied, people think twice before using their cars, potentially avoiding the trip, opting for shorter trips, using public transport or finding other alternative solutions instead. This approach not only discourages unnecessary vehicle use but also frees up critical street space for creating vibrant public spaces on street. When authorised designated spots are demarcated by the city on the streets, it further reduces the time and fuel wasted in searching for a parking spot.  

Effective parking management can deter vehicle use, while LEZs take it a step further by restricting the most polluting vehicles from entering key areas. Together, they provide a strong mechanism to reduce vehicular emissions. 

In an LEZ, only vehicles with low or zero emissions—such as electric vehicles or those that meet the recommended emission standards (BS-VI)—are allowed to enter. LEZs can be city-wide or focused on strategically selected areas, making them an effective tool for cutting emissions in densely populated regions. 

For instance, in cities like London there has been a drastic reduction. As per the Mayor’s report, London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), launched in 2019, has led to a 44% reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels and a roughly 30% decrease in traffic in central areas, alongside a 21% increase in cycling. 

In India, a study by ITDP India and ICCT in Pimpri Chinchwad found that restricting pre-BS-VI vehicles in a designated LEZ could reduce PM 2.5 emissions by up to 91% within a year (if all the pre-BS-VI users switch to EVs). Without such measures, pollution levels will decrease by only 50% in the next five years, under current practices (which involves the expected business as usual gradual natural transition to BS-VI). 

Designated parking spaces created on a street in PCMC

While these three Mantras provide a holistic approach to combat vehicular emissions, acknowledging the issue is the first step.  We urge cities and policymakers not to let air pollution caused by vehicles fade into the background or be treated as a seasonal issue. Addressing vehicular emissions requires year-round effort—mode shift, cleaner vehicle technologies, and Low Emission Zones must work in tandem to tackle pollution from all angles. 

Written by Donita Jose, Senior Associate, Communications and Development, ITDP India

With technical inputs from Parin Visariya, Deputy Manager at ITDP India

Answers to Some Common Questions About Low Emission Zones

by

With the idea of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) gaining steam in India, here are a few concepts on the Legal, Institutional, and Technological aspects of vehicular emission.

A recap of Urbanlogue 4.0 Episode 2

LEZs are the need of the hour to arrest the invisible yet harmful impact of vehicular pollution. However, the entire subject can be challenging to grasp. Alongside figuring out the enforcement technology and monitoring, in India, data quality and impacts on marginalised communities add to the complexity. 

On September 18, ITDP India and ICCT hosted a webinar featuring six experts, moderated by Amit Bhatt, India Managing Director, ICCT, wherein they unwrapped these concepts by sharing their journeys from managing air/vehicular pollution in cities like Delhi, Pimpri Chinchwad, and Surat, alongside insights from Brussels and Seoul. You can watch the full webinar here. 

Here are seven frequently asked questions around Low Emission Zones, which were answered during  the webinar. 

1. What are the technologies available to enforce Low Emission Zones and which is best suited for Indian context? 

Parin Visariya, Deputy Manager at ITDP India, highlighted two key enforcement methods for India: Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). 

“What’s currently feasible in India is ANPR, which uses cameras to read vehicle number plates and deduct fees for entering Low Emission Zones,” Visariya explained. GNSS, an alternative, connects to an on-board unit inside the vehicle via a cellular network to charge fees, though the unit costs INR 8,000-10,000. 

Srinivas Ganji, Solution Delivery Director (Urban Transport), Arcadis, discussed the challenges of both. ANPR faces issues like low visibility due to weather, traffic congestion, and low-light conditions. However, due to improved algorithms and infrared cameras, the efficacy of ANPR system is close to 90%.  

Regarding GNSS, Ganji pointed out a few concerns. “A lot of incentives will have to be given to maintain the onboard unit. Privacy is also a concern as all movements can be tracked and it’s still a question on who will bear the charges of transmission of the data.”  

2. Are our vehicle emissions measuring methods robust enough? 

Vaibhav Kush, Researcher at ICCT, highlighted the importance of accurately monitoring emissions for implementing LEZs. Currently, India measures pollution at two stages: during vehicle prototype testing before the production and through Pollution Under Control (PUC) checks. However, these methods only reflect emissions under controlled conditions, either in labs or when vehicles are stationary. Neither show actual pollution levels emitted. Factors like load, maintenance, driving habits, road surface, traffic congestion impact emissions. 

ICCT’s 2022 study in Delhi using the roadside sensors revealed a significant gap between tested and real-world emissions.   

3. What are the various legal routes to implement LEZs  

Vaibhav Kush, further elaborated on the legal routes to establish LEZs. He explained that LEZs require legal backing for notifying the LEZ area, restricting polluting vehicle type, imposing fines and more. There are legal provisions available at national, state and city level. It depends on which government is initiating it. Vaibhav highlighted the cases of vehicle restrictions implemented in Delhi, Taj Trapezium Zone in Agra, Kevadia in Gujarat. He also highlighted a case where judiciary (Supreme Court) ordered the Delhi government to levy the environment compensation charge. 

He highlighted that the Air Act of 1981, Central Motor Vehicle Act of 1988 and state laws like Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act 1949, can enable LEZ implementation. 

4. How robust should the city’s pollution monitoring network be? 

Ronak Sutaria, Founder and CEO, and Kevin Joshi, Product Engineer and Researcher, from Respirer Living Sciences, emphasised the need for robust and dense pollution monitoring networks to implement LEZs. For Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), they deployed low-cost monitoring machines to measure PM 2.5 and 10 across 20 locations, focusing on densely populated areas. The data was shared with SMC and revealed nuanced results—PM 2.5 levels spiked during morning rush hours at certain junctions, while industrial areas peaked in the evening, and commercial zones showed higher levels during weekends. Regular analysis enabled tailored decisions and actions. 

“We need data analytics specialists, to help city corporations make informed decisions,” Joshi stated. 

On data accuracy, Ronak also highlighted that it is important to understand the purpose of using the data. Based on technologies and their cost, data accuracy can vary between 70%-90%.  

5. Is crowdsourcing of pollution data the way ahead for monitoring and predicting pollution levels in micro levels? 

Dr Suraj Ghosh, Associate Counsellor from CII- ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, shared that their pollution monitoring and forecasting model was built on crowdsourced data. Their new model integrates emission inventories, meteorological data, live traffic, ambient air quality, and sensor data. By applying the Chemical Transport Model, they can predict pollutant levels for the next 72 hours, which aids measures like the Graded Response Action Plans. 

Their model achieves a resolution of 1 km x 1 km down to zone and ward levels, with the potential to enhance accuracy to 200 meters, though data quality remains a concern. “To improve accuracy of forecasts, we need good data,” he shared. 

6. What can cities in India learn from international cities like Brussels, Seoul, and London? 

Anindita Ghosh, Senior Researcher, UITP, shared several insights from different cities’ LEZ experiences. In Brussels, citizens were proactive in pushing the government to implement LEZs. In Seoul, LEZs were introduced only in the Business Zone, a model that could work in India as well. 

In all these cities, including London, effective communication played a vital role. “Engaging citizens consistently is key. Making them part of the process is essential,” Ghosh said. Various tools such as leaflets, videos, and advertisements were used extensively, with communication beginning 2-3 years before implementation. Efforts were also made to include marginalised communities, a practice that should be adopted in India. 

7. How can we address equity issues on marginalised communities while implementing LEZ? 

Globally, cities have provided incentives to encourage the transition to cleaner vehicles. Cities have provided free public transport passes for two years. Financial incentives are priortised for e-cycles and small freight vehicles for businesses, subject to polluting vehicles being scrapped. Incentives for personal cars are avoided to reduce congestion. All cities invest heavily in improving public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure. Indian cities, similarly, must priortise to improve public transport (especially bus transport) and offer target incentives after analysing the budget. 

Watch this space for more on Low Emission Zones! Join our Whatsapp group now for more webinars and talks!


Team Urbanlogue 

Written by Donita Jose, Senior Associate, Communications and Development, ITDP India

With technical inputs from Parin Visariya, Deputy Manager at ITDP India