Promoting Low Carbon Transport in India - Policy Summary

This document evaluates the development and challenges of Bus Rapid Transit systems in India with a focus on sustainability and social inclusion. It reviews projects in Delhi, Pune, Jaipur, Indore, and Ahmedabad, highlighting how political, institutional, and social resistance—particularly from middle-class car owners and fragmented governance—has hindered progress. Ahmedabad is presented as the most advanced case, with a 45 km network and growing ridership, yet it still faces gaps in integration with municipal buses, insufficient non-motorized transport facilities, and limited accessibility for low-income groups and women. Surveys reveal that BRT use is dominated by middle-income commuters, while the urban poor, especially women, remain reliant on walking, cycling, and informal modes. The study concludes that despite national policy and funding support, BRT implementation has struggled with weak planning, poor coordination, and limited inclusiveness.