Sustainable transport environment in Indian mega cities: problems and remedies

Ashok Kumar, University of Mumbai

Presently, approximately 30 percent of Indian population is living in cities, out of which about one fifth is residing in six megacities. Current trends of urbanization, as inspired by better quality of life, are posing multiple stresses on our environment and human population. Coupled with rapid urbanization each city consists of a number of supporting systems. Transport is one of them, which provides mobility, flexibility and accessibility to urban people. For all practical purposes, a sustainable transport system must offer mobility and approachability to all urban residents in safe, risk-free and eco-friendly mode of transport. This paper deals with the idea and challenge of creating a “sustainable transport environment” in Indian megacities, alongwith a comprehensive discussion on the existing problems of air and noise pollution and poor motorised system of transport. The scheme of this paper is to examine the extent of problem and suggest remedial measures.