Chandigarh mobility plan favours use of non-motorised transport

The key feature of the mobility plan would be on strengthening public transport: last mile connectivity (end to end journey) be offered to passengers apart from an increase in bus connectivity to Panchkula and Mohali.

More pedestrian-friendly and cycle-friendly spaces in the city, apart from optimum utilisation of resources, have been suggested. (Representational)

Chandigarh’s mobility plan which will be presented before the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog and the Global Mobility Summit, lays emphasis on the use of non-motorised and public transport in the city.
The plan lays focus on having more pedestrian-friendly and cycle-friendly spaces, apart from optimum utilisation of resources. It states, “Own the ride and not own a car.”

In a meeting held on mobility and road safety in Delhi on Monday evening, chaired by Niti Aayog Adviser Anil Srivastav, different states and UTs gave a presentation on their mobility plan. All have to submit a detailed mobility plan within a month, which will be presented in the Global Mobility Summit on September 7-8 in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending the summit.

Although the draft of mobility plan awaits the final nod by the transport department, the key feature of the focus on strengthening public transport is: last mile connectivity (end to end journey) be offered to passengers apart from an increase in bus connectivity to Panchkula and Mohali. Also, because Chandigarh has people from Mohali and Panchkula entering the city, a Tricity board or common interest group has also been suggested which may look into the changing mobility needs of the Tricity and not just Chandigarh itself.

To offer services to passengers right at their doorstep, the plan aims to provide “end-to-end” journey under the project of “last mile connectivity”. It suggests that e-rickshaws be made available at the bus stops and from there the e-rickshaws may drop the passengers at their destinations. The transport department is already working in collaboration with the World Research Institute (WRI).

“In fact, more and more people prefer cabs because they drop people at the doorstep and that is why public transport is not much preferred,” a senior official said. CTU runs buses on 67 routes and has over 300 bus stops.
It has also been suggested that the tax on the purchase of buses for public transport is reduced and that on personalised vehicles be increased.

Transport Secretary B L Sharma said, “This is a policy decision which has to be implemented at the level of GST council. On the purchase of transport buses or their fabrication, there is 28 per cent tax while that on personal vehicles is 18 per cent. To encourage public transport and discourage use of private vehicles, it should be the other way round: less tax on transport buses and more on personal vehicles. This was also discussed in the meeting yesterday.”

More pedestrian-friendly and cycle-friendly spaces in the city, apart from optimum utilisation of resources, have been suggested. “Increase in cycle tracks, cycle-friendly behaviour and creating pedestrian-friendly open spaces are some of the key features. Also, the availability of parking spaces online, like if any parking space is available in Sector 17, can help in reducing the traffic,” Transport Director Amit Talwar said.

Hina Rohtaki

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. She is one of the most prominent journalists covering the Chandigarh Administration, civic issues, and the unique political status of the Union Territory. Professional Background Experience: She has been in the field for over a decade and is known for her investigative reporting on administrative waste and urban governance. Awards: She is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, which was presented to her by the President of India in January 2020. She was also awarded the Jethmalani prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 in the Empowerment category for a series of articles that highlighted the struggles of Covid widows. Core Beat: Her primary focus is the Chandigarh administrative structure, the Union Territory's financial management, and urban development projects. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent work highlights a focus on government accountability, administrative expenditures, and civic trends: 1. Investigative & Financial Reporting "Fuelling power: Senior UT IAS officers guzzled petrol worth Rs 30 lakh in 2 yrs" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative report detailing the high fuel bills of top bureaucrats, including the Finance Secretary and Chief Secretary’s staff. "Admn spends Rs 1.5 crore on dismantling road railings and fixing again after increasing height" (Dec 8, 2025): Highlighting administrative waste on "non-viable" solutions for pedestrian control. "Chandigarh’s finances under ministry’s watch now" (Nov 27, 2025): Reporting on the new requirement for MHA approval for all new projects in the UT. 2. Governance & Constitutional Status "What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240?" (Nov 24, 2025): An "Explained" piece on the potential constitutional shift that would grant the President more power over the UT's governance. "MP Manish Tewari moves Bill seeking directly elected Mayor with 5-year tenure" (Dec 6, 2025): Covering the legislative push to reform Chandigarh's municipal leadership structure. "No proposal to increase Mayor's term in Chandigarh by 5 years: Centre" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on the Union government's response to demands for a longer mayoral term. 3. Urban Infrastructure & Environment "Chandigarh admn cuts power to India's tallest air purifier, asks firm to dismantle it" (Nov 17, 2025): A critical report on the failure of a high-cost environmental project deemed "of no use" by experts. "UT rethinks 24/7 water supply project as costs soar" (Nov 26, 2025): Detailing the financial challenges and delays in modernizing the city's water network. "Centre 'obfuscating, covering up' MC's shifting deadlines for clearing Dadu Majra dump" (Dec 12, 2025): Reporting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the city's major waste dump. 4. Lifestyle & Local Trends "Chandigarh turns into a Thar city as women fuel the surge" (Dec 2, 2025): A feature on a unique automotive trend in the city, with a record 600 registrations by women drivers this year. "After fivefold spike in 2023, EV sales struggle to pick pace in Chandigarh" (Dec 2, 2025): Analyzing the slowdown in electric vehicle adoption despite previous surges. Signature Beat Hina is known for her meticulous tracking of RTI (Right to Information) data to expose administrative inefficiency. Her "Ground Zero" reporting on the Dadu Majra garbage dump and her scrutiny of the Chandigarh Smart City projects have made her a key figure in the city’s civil society discourse. X (Twitter): @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

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