Thus, with a greater urban population, there is a need to smartly design urban transport based on low carbon, sustainable options. There are three basic components of smart urban transport designs: planning, partnerships and long term vision. 

Planning as the first step lays down the ground work to achieve the goal of mobility. Mobility has to be about ‘moving people, not moving vehicles’ i.e. a strategy for sustainable urban transport has to revolve around developing public facilities which enable the masses to move. Before India’s development leads to more vehicles on the road and further increase in pollution, emissions and congestion, development of a sustainable strategy for urban transport planning is crucial. Investment in options such as integrated transport solutions (BRTS and Metro), land use planning and non-motorised transport systems need to be the core tenets of a sustainable transport strategy.

Encouraging partnerships between public sector undertakings and private sector is an important way to realise this strategy. In fact, institutional arrangements and private sector form the building blocks to facilitate sustainable transport investment in India. A sustainable city will be characterised by an equitable model where mobility and the sphere of economic activity are independent of income, physical ability, age or gender.

Policy also plays an important role in encouraging development of sustainable transport along with urbanisation, as part of the longer term vision. The National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) of the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) is the key guiding policy at the national level focusing on urban transport in India. Providing a Sustainable Urban Transport System (SUTP) is contained within the NUTP where the focus is on planning and investments in public transport and non-motorised transport systems in cities.

Urban development is often characterised by separation of land use for residential and commercial purposes which leads to peripheral growth, reduced density and increased trip lengths between the two. Integrated land use and transport planning on the other hand encourages supportive land use practices and minimises the need to travel. Compact urban areas offer lower-cost access to water, public services and greater energy efficiency. High quality public transit can save people time and money. A sustainable urban transport strategy should therefore address private vehicle ownership, collective public transport, green infrastructure development and transport management. q