Technology and policy shifts towards sustainable urban transport

The ever-increasing number of automobiles in Indian cities poses a threat to the environment, resources, economy, society, and is simply unsustainable. An improvement in the air quality of cities has been initiated by changes in technology (better automobile technologies and fuels), but the consequent reduction in pollution is offset by the growing number of vehicles. This paper is divided into four parts. In the first part, the growth of population and motor vehicles, the air quality status in 23 metropolitan cities have been depicted, and some broad observations have been made. Second part discusses a comprehensive policy framework and an integrated approach to mitigate vehicular emissions by identifying some directions and formulating urban transport policies and strategies that will protect the local and global environment. The third part discusses the impact of existing policies and commitments on vehicular emissions (of greenhouse gases and criteria pollutants) in Delhi. Locally motivated air quality programmes in the city have had limited collateral benefits in terms of protecting the global climate. Technological changes, by themselves, do not suffice and transport demand/supply management measures are required to restrict road traffic growth by better land-use planning, stricter demand management, and greater use of public transport.The fourth and final part lists the policy options that transport authorities can pursue to balance the personal transport desires of the more affluent with the public transport needs of the very poor.