Improved urban transport strategies can bring a myriad of benefits to India, from reductions in CO2 emissions to a more mobile and inclusive society, according to a new report. The revised version of Toolkits for Urban Development: Comprehensive Mobility Plans was updated by India's Ministry of Urban Development together with the Institute of Urban Transport, the UNEP and other partners. It builds on the first edition of the toolkit, which was prepared in 2008. According to the report, the goal of improved mobility strategies - which include more-efficient vehicular traffic, enhanced public transit systems and non-motorized transport - should be to provide safe, secure, efficient connectivity that supports and enhances economic, social and environmental sustainability. Since 2008, the policy landscape in India has undergone developments with a heightened focus on climate change. Given the fact that growth over the last two decades has increased the chasm between the rich and poor, there is also an emerging focus on inclusive development.
The revised toolkit provides a response to these changes in the form of clear policy guidance with service-level benchmarks.