For crores of women across India, the “cost of stepping out” is an invisible tax on their livelihood. Our latest infographic, “How Women Travel and the Cost of Stepping Out,” maps the transformative impact of “Zero-Ticket” bus schemes across 8 Indian states. From a 5% jump in workforce participation in Karnataka to a structural shift in public safety in Delhi, we explore how making transit free is the ultimate strategic investment in gender equity and urban development.
Want to discover the newest features of Chennai’s Pedestrian-First High Street? Choose between a self-guided audio tour and a virtual tour, led by our tour guide Varsha!
To experience KNK street from the comfort of your home:
Head to Our Virtual Tour on Youtube
To begin the self-guided audio tour, head to the first stop on Khader Nawaz Khan Road. Once you’ve arrived, scroll down and press play on the first audio.
If you have lost your way,
or don’t have a clue,
the route map above will be there to guide you!
Happy listening!
Stop 1 / Welcome to Khader Nawaz Khan Pedestrian First High Street
Find Stop 1 on the map.
Stop 2 / KNK: A Complete Street
Find Stop 2 on the map.
Stop 3 / Essential services are now efficient services.
Find Stop 3 on the map.
Stop 4 / A place to gather
Find Stop 4 on the map.
Stop 5 / Hidden details
Find Stop 5 on the map.
Stop 6 / End and Walk Back
Find Stop 6 on the map.
Created by Tejesvini Ravi, Associate, and Donita Jose, Deputy Manager, ITDP India.
Voiceover by Varsha Jeyapandi, Senior Associate, ITDP India.
Technical inputs by Shivani Balasubramanian, Senior Associate, ITDP India.
Conceptualised by Donita Jose, Tejesvini Ravi and Varsha Jeyapandi.
Video footage shot by Ally Production.
In collaboration with Greater Chennai Corporation.
At Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, air pollution caused by road transport is a serious public health concern. To combat this, we need Low Emission Zones (LEZ), a strategy in which polluting vehicles are discouraged through vehicle restrictions and pricing measures. But how would the people of these cities respond to this strategy?
To understand how citizens would adapt to LEZ measures, we conducted a one-of-a-kind perception study across 20 neighbourhoods in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The views of 2,000 owners of personal vehicles (two-wheelers and four-wheelers) were recorded, capturing the following insights:
To know more, read the full document here
Interesting in advocating for safer school zones in your neighbourhood? We have resources tailored for everyone—from students to professional planners—to help you get started.
A visual guide for all ages
Looking for a simple way to highlight the safe elements of school streets? Our Child-Friendly Poster makes the concepts clear and colourful.
Quick reference for professionals.
Need a concise, attractive overview of what makes a school zone truly safe? Download our Nifty Printable Poster for your reference.
Cycling in Our Cities is a multi-city study by ITDP India that examines how citizens perceive and experience cycling infrastructure in Indian cities. Conducted across Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, and Nagpur, the study aims to inform future cycling infrastructure planning by understanding what works—and what doesn’t—for everyday cyclists.
What Was Surveyed
The study surveyed 605 cyclists and non-cyclists and assessed over 152 km of cycling infrastructure across the three cities. It evaluated four common infrastructure types: footpath-level cycle tracks, at-grade segregated cycle tracks, painted cycle lanes on carriageways, and shared streets with traffic calming measures.
Key Takeaways
Obstructions emerged as the biggest deterrent to cycling, cited by 56% of cyclists, with parked vehicles, vendor encroachments, and motor vehicle movement being the most common issues. Shared streets with traffic calming were consistently rated as the safest and most comfortable environments, while segregated cycle tracks performed poorly due to encroachments, poor surfaces, and broken continuity. The findings highlight that effective cycling infrastructure requires not just good design, but also strong enforcement and maintenance.
Find the full publication here.
This study report serves as the executive summary of the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for the Chennai Metropolitan Area. The CMP is a long-term strategic vision that integrates land use and urban transport planning to guide mobility in the CMA over the next 25 years.
Read the full publication here.
This study report assesses the current situation of pedestrian infrastructure in Chennai. Taking the case of 14 streets in different parts of the city, the report seeks to create awareness and a dialogue surrounding successes and gaps in the infrastructure, prompting the identification of future areas of intervention.
Read the full publication here.
The report, jointly prepared by Guidance Tamil Nadu and ITDP India, provides a comprehensive assessment of the current status of public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Tamil Nadu. It examines existing policy frameworks, market dynamics, and stakeholder perspectives to identify key challenges hindering growth. The analysis underscores the urgent need to scale up charging infrastructure to match the state’s EV adoption goals. Drawing on best practices from other states, the report outlines actionable recommendations to strengthen planning, investment, and implementation mechanisms.
Click here to download the full report.
The Tamil Nadu Public Charging Infrastructure Guidelines marks India’s first comprehensive state-specific framework to guide the setting up of public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The document has been jointly developed by the Government of Tamil Nadu’s Industries Department, Guidance Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Ltd (TNGECL), Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (TNPDCL), with technical support from ITDP India.
The guidelines provide a structured reference for future EV infrastructure planning and implementation across both urban and regional areas. One can find the following topics covered in the guidelines-
This resource is intended to support policymakers, urban planners, and operators by offering clear guidance on the planning, deployment, and management of EV public charging infrastructure in Tamil Nadu.
Click to download the full report: Tamil Nadu Public Charging Infrastructure Guidelines
The 30-page pocket version of the Guidelines can be accessed in English here.
For the Tamil Pocket Guidelines, click here.
