In Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, people still rely heavily on private cars. The result: higher pollution, more traffic jams and rising energy use. A recent round‑table in the city highlighted how crucial strong public transport and clean mobility options are for the future.
At the workshop organized by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), experts discussed how Indian cities can shift to greener, shared transport, such as buses and auto‑rickshaws. CEEW’s ‘Future of Our Cities’ series urged an immediate boost to the bus fleet, electrification of mid‑range public transport (IPTs) like autorickshaws and “Vikrams,” and a focus on gender inclusion.
India’s electric‑vehicle (EV) wave continues. In 2024‑25 alone, more than one million EVs hit the road, thanks to national schemes such as FAME I and II, state‑level incentives, and growing consumer confidence. The fastest‑growing segment is the electric three‑wheeler (e3W) market.
A shining example of local success comes from Amritsar, where the “Rejuvenation of Auto Rickshaws in Amritsar through Holistic Intervention” (RAAHI) project made a real difference. The program offered a 1.3‑1.5 lakh rupee upfront subsidy to replace diesel three‑wheelers with e‑autos, helped drivers secure formal bank loans, and ran information campaigns to build confidence in the new tech.
The result? About 1,200 old diesel vehicles were swapped for electric ones, boosting drivers’ incomes and cutting emissions by thousands of kilograms each year. The project also tackled a glaring gender gap in the sector, offering a 90 % subsidy for women drivers, forming self‑help groups with NULM, and supporting them in getting licences. As a result, 200 women from Amritsar now drive e‑autos, joining the clean‑mobility workforce.
For Chandigarh and similar cities, the message is clear: scale up bus services, electrify local transport, and give everyone—especially women—access to the new opportunities. These steps will reduce traffic, lower pollution, and create fairer, greener jobs for the region.
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