Real policy is not defensive short-term emergency measures but something proactive spanning multiple years, and acting fast, local and through multiple agencies. Every Diwali, a billion people in India wake up to the news of smog-ridden cities in the aftermath of celebratory fireworks.

Non-motorised transport (NMT) offers basic mobility, affordable transport, access to public transport, and health benefits. Improving the convenience, comfort, and safety of walking and cycling reduces the demand for travel by personal motor vehicles, helping to alleviate the critical traffic challenges facing many cities.

Effective transport systems are vital for people to carry out their everyday tasks, and for providing access to many of the goods and services that constitute a modern society. In turn, each transport mode has associated effects on people's health, the environment and the economy as a whole.

A Perspective prepared by the NITI Aayog and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) calls for efficient and convenient public transport to answer the twin problems of pollution and congestion. The report quickly attracted attention amid daily increases in fuel prices.

These guidelines have been developed as a menu of interventions to guide policy makers and local authorities in planning, designing and realizing NMT facilities. Their objective is to increase the capacity of engineers, designers, planners and others involved in urban construction to create safe, intermodal urban transport systems.

Lack of investment in safe walking and cycling infrastructure is contributing to the deaths of millions of people and overlooking a great opportunity to contribute to the fight against climate change, a new UN Environment report says.