India's Urban Transport Policy Fails to Curb Car Dependency After 20 Years
India’s National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) was launched in April 2006 with a clear goal: reduce reliance on private vehicles and promote public transport, walking, and cycling. Approved by the union cabinet after extensive consultations, the policy aimed to cut traffic congestion, improve air quality, and enhance road safety. The NUTP set ambitious targets to shift urban travel away from cars and motorbikes. Instead of widening roads or building flyovers, it prioritised investments in bus networks, metro systems, and safer infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. Yet, two decades later, the results have fallen short.
The number of registered motor vehicles has surged from 8.2 crore in 2005 to 43.1 crore in 2025. Road accident fatalities have also climbed, rising from around 95,000 in 2005 to nearly 165,000 by 2022. Air quality in cities has worsened, while the country’s oil import bill has soared—jumping from Rs 1.35 lakh crores in 2005 to Rs 12.35 lakh crores in 2025. Critics argue that the policy’s implementation has been uneven. While metro rail projects received significant funding, other key areas were neglected. Investments in bus systems, cycling lanes, and pedestrian pathways remained insufficient. The policy also failed to address urban freight transport, parking shortages, and intermediate public transport options. Many metro systems, though expensive, lack last-mile connectivity, leaving commuters dependent on private vehicles for part of their journey.
The NUTP’s original vision of cleaner, safer, and more efficient urban transport has not been fully realised. With motor vehicle numbers continuing to rise and road deaths increasing, the gaps in implementation remain a major challenge. Future efforts will need to address these shortcomings to meet the policy’s long-standing goals.
