Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Chandigarh Needs Clean Mobility Amidst High Private Vehicle Use: Experts
Imagine your city has too many cars, making the air dirty and roads crowded.
Experts met in Chandigarh to talk about this problem.
They said that like in other big cities, many people in Chandigarh use their own cars too much.
This creates pollution and traffic jams.
So, they suggested having more buses and making auto-rickshaws electric, like clean-energy taxis.
They also looked at a successful project in Amritsar where old diesel auto-rickshaws were changed to electric ones.
This helped drivers make more money and kept the air cleaner.
This project also made sure that women could become drivers too, by giving them special help.
By using more shared and electric vehicles, cities can become cleaner and better places to live.
High private vehicle dependency in Chandigarh necessitates better public transport and clean mobility options.
Experts at a CEEW roundtable highlighted the need to combat emissions, congestion, and energy demand.
Recommendations include expanding bus fleets and electrifying auto-rickshaws and Vikrams.
India's EV sales exceed 1 million units, driven by national policies and growing consumer confidence.
The Amritsar RAAHI project demonstrates success in transitioning diesel auto-rickshaws to electric, including gender inclusion initiatives.
- Who
- Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) and transport experts
- What
- Discussed the high dependence on private vehicles in Chandigarh and the need for sustainable mobility solutions.
- When
- Wednesday
- Where
- Chandigarh
- Why
- To address escalating emissions, congestion, and energy demand caused by private vehicle dependency.
Current Situation
Proposed Solutions
Vehicle Dependence
Current Situation
Chandigarh exhibits a high dependency on private vehicles.
Proposed Solutions
There is a need to shift towards robust public transportation and clean mobility alternatives.
Emissions and Congestion
Current Situation
High private vehicle use escalates emissions, congestion, and energy demand.
Proposed Solutions
Expanding bus fleets and electrifying intermediate public transport can mitigate these issues.
EV Adoption Barriers
Current Situation
Concerns exist regarding upfront costs and access to formal loans for EV adoption.
Proposed Solutions
The RAAHI project in Amritsar successfully addressed these by offering subsidies, facilitating bank loans, and conducting awareness campaigns.
Gender Inclusion in Transport
Current Situation
Women comprise less than 1% of India's transport workforce.
Proposed Solutions
Targeted subsidies and support groups can successfully bring women into the e-auto ecosystem.
- Event
- Roundtable on sustainable mobility in Indian cities
- Organizers
- Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)
- Location
- Chandigarh
- Date
- Wednesday
- Key Recommendation
- Expand bus fleet, electrify intermediate public transport (IPTs), promote gender inclusion.
- EV Sales (2024-25)
- Over 1 million units
- Amritsar RAAHI Project Success
- Transitioned 1,200 diesel vehicles to e-autos, brought 200 women into the ecosystem.