Addressing congestion and transport-related air pollution in Saharanpur, India

Abstract

Rapid growth in the use of private motor vehicles in high-income nations has created serious problems of congestion in most cities, and has also contributed to a high dependence on oil, to air pollution and to high levels of greenhouse gas emissions per person. But rapid growth in the use of motor vehicles, and congestion and air pollution are also evident in cities in low-income nations – where transport infrastructure and management has been unable to cope with this upsurge in traffic. This paper considers the problems faced by a relatively small city in India, Saharanpur, where rapid growth in private motor vehicle use combines with limited local investment capacity and a high use of non-motorized vehicles, including bullock carts. It presents the findings of field surveys for the city's five main roads, and highlights the high levels of congestion and air pollution. The paper also presents an alternative scenario, emphasizing the promotion of public transport.