A major policy thrust towards the development of low-carbon transport technologies is essential to overcome the problem of air pollution
Inadequate investment in urban transport systems has led to almost all Indian cities witnessing massive traffic congestion and increased vehicular air pollution. The phenomenal growth in vehicles on the road has resulted in increased energy consumption and carbon emissions. It is one of the primary factors of increased air pollution — a major health hazard in tier-I and tier-II cities. Energy security is another important concern as over 80 per cent of the country’s oil requirement is met through imports. The railway, which is the most environment-friendly and traditionally the primary mode of transport, is gradually losing its market share to road mainly because of its inability to meet the growing demand. There is an urgent need for major policy thrust towards the development of low-carbon transport technologies to overcome the problem of air pollution and reduce energy consumption and carbon emission at a global level.
Identifying road blocks: Lack of coordination among different Ministries, which pursue their own objectives of bringing improvements in their respective areas, is one of the major impediments in the development of sustainable transport. The current system of having separate Ministries/departments with specific objectives of developing transport sub-sectors — road, railways, seaports, shipping and civil aviation — has outlived its utility. At the State and city level, we need to empower the local Government for integrating urban transport systems, depending upon local conditions. Emphasis on the development of metro rail systems has not generated expected outcomes in many cities. Instead, strengthening of the public bus system and constructing BRT corridors can result in better traffic solutions and that, too, at a much lower cost.
Coming to electric mobility, which seems to be the buzz word these days, little progress has been made so far. Although the Government has formulated the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) and the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles, or FAME 2 scheme, there has been little success. No single Government agency is looking into the issues that are common to bringing in new technologies. The Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, which is required to implement the policy, is primarily concerned with the growth of the automobile industry. The industry, in turn, is not very keen on manufacturing electric vehicles unless it becomes financially attractive to them.
Need for integrated policy framework: Electric mobility, particularly for urban passenger transport, will be a game changer in combating air pollution and reducing energy and carbon emissions. Public acceptance of electric vehicles as a future mode of transport in place of internal combustion vehicles is evident from the rapid growth of e-rickshaws. In smaller cities, they are becoming a major mode of passenger transport as they provide pollution and noise-free short trip mobility needs. To ensure a smooth transition to not just e-mobility but also other sustainable modes of transport, India needs an enabling institutional infrastructure and governance mechanism. Such a mechanism at both Central and State levels will help frame and implement suitable policies. Before the formation of the NITI Aayog in 2014, coordination among different transport Ministries was done by the Planning Commission, which also allocated funds for investments in transport sub-sectors.
There is a need to create a consolidated Transport Ministry that will focus on systemic performance, as recommended by the National Transport Development Policy Committee in 2014. A consolidated transport Ministry, focussed on sustainable mobility solutions and working in a mission mode, will be an ideal Government agency for a rapid growth of sustainable mobility. Integration of transport policies with an objective of providing seamless service for carriage of men and material will not only reduce the cost of logistics but also save scarce resources which are utilised for creating some of the avoidable transport infrastructure.
Future sustainable mobility solutions for a rapidly emerging economy with a very large population must be different from the ones adopted by developed countries. This requires the strengthening of research organisations and technological research institutes which can focus on finding new technological solutions. A dedicated agency that coordinates with the Government in pursuing specific projects will help develop solutions for the country’s sustainable transport needs.
(The writer is distinguished Fellow, Transport and Urban Governance, TERI)
