What does urban mobility look like when metros and flyovers aren't the norm? This article explores how people in India’s small and mid-sized cities move: on foot, by cycle, and through shared autos and e-rickshaws; and why these everyday modes are often missing from formal planning. Drawing from Nāgrika’s recent research and panel discussion, it highlights overlooked policy gaps, invisible data systems, and powerful community-led solutions that can shape a more inclusive and

In India’s smaller cities, cars get the spotlight while pedestrians and cyclists fight for space. There exists glaring contradictions in India's urban mobility: from footpaths turned parking lots to sidelined e-rickshaws, despite most people relying on walking, cycling, or informal transport! As cities chase costly metro dreams, are we overlooking the modes that truly keep them moving?

भारत के छोटे शहरों में गाड़ियों को खास तवज्जो मिलती है, जबकि पैदल चलने वालों और साइकिल चालकों को जगह के लिए संघर्ष करना पड़ता है। हमारे शहरी परिवहन में कई साफ-साफ विरोधाभास दिखते हैं — फुटपाथों को पार्किंग में बदल दिया गया है, ई-रिक्शा जैसे साधनों को नजरअंदाज किया जाता है, जबकि ज़्यादातर लोग चलकर, साइकिल से या अनौपचारिक साधनों से ही सफर करते हैं। शहर महंगे मेट्रो प्रोजेक्ट्स के पीछे भाग रहे हैं, लेकिन क्या हम उन साधनों को नजरअंदाज़ कर रहे हैं जो सच में शहरों को चलाते हैं?

भारत ने मुश्किल इलाक़ों और भीड़भाड़ वाले शहरों में चलने-फिरने की समस्याओं को हल करने के लिए रोपवे पर भरोसा किया है। पर्वतमाला योजना के तहत 200 से ज़्यादा प्रोजेक्ट्स की तैयारी है, जिसमें छोटे शहर इस बदलाव के मुख्य केंद्र बन रहे हैं। लेकिन इस हरित पहल की सफलता स्थानीय लोगों की स्वीकृति, पर्यावरणीय आकलन और रोपवे की रोज़मर्रा की सार्वजनिक परिवहन व्यवस्था में अच्छी तरह एकीकृत होने पर निर्भर करेगी। क्या रोपवे दैनिक यात्री के लिए भरोसेमंद साधन बन पाएंगे?

India is betting on ropeways to solve mobility challenges in tough terrains and congested cities. With over 200 projects planned under the Parvatmala scheme, smaller cities are becoming key sites for this shift. But the success of this green push will depend on local acceptance, environmental assessments, and how well ropeways can integrate into everyday public transport. Will they become a reliable ride for the daily commuter?

कोटा में कोचिंग छात्रों से लेकर कोच्चि की महिलाओं तक, भारत के छोटे शहरों में साइक्लिंग फिर से लोकप्रिय हो रही है। कुछ शहर साइकिल ट्रैकों के लिए जगह बना रहे हैं और सार्वजनिक साइकल सिस्टम का नवीनीकरण कर रहे हैं, जबकि अन्य जगहों पर अतिक्रमण और उपेक्षा की समस्या बनी हुई है। इस प्रगति और चुनौतियों के बीच, स्थानीय समुदाय स्वच्छ और सुरक्षित परिवहन के लिए बदलाव की पहल कर रहे हैं। आपका शहर इस सफर में कहां खड़ा है?

E-rickshaws are rapidly gaining popularity in smaller cities like Darbhanga and Matheran, offering eco-friendly mobility solutions. However, their rise isn't without challenges. Safety concerns, regulation gaps, and local resistance highlight the complexities of this green transport revolution. With demand growing for last-mile connectivity, can e-rickshaws deliver on their promise of sustainable urban transport?

ई-रिक्शा छोटे शहरों जैसे दरभंगा और माथेरन में तेजी से लोकप्रिय हो रहे हैं और पर्यावरण के अनुकूल सफर के विकल्प पेश कर रहे हैं। लेकिन इसके साथ ही कई चुनौतियां भी सामने आ रही हैं। सुरक्षा के मसले, नियमों की कमी और स्थानीय विरोध इस हरित परिवहन क्रांति की जटिलताओं को दर्शाते हैं। आखिरी मील की कनेक्टिविटी की बढ़ती मांग के बीच, क्या ई-रिक्शा वाकई टिकाऊ और भरोसेमंद शहरी यात्रा का वादा पूरा कर पाएंगे?

The Indian government's push for green transportation through the PM-eBus Sewa plan is set to transform urban mobility. With 10,000 e-buses and NMT promotion, the initiative aims to reduce emissions and enhance sustainable transit options. While demand for greener alternatives is rising in smaller cities, challenges like limited charging infrastructure and lack of awareness remain. Can this push towards green mobility revolutionise urban transport across the country?

As a town undergoes transformation, stories linger over meals, bittersweet flavours of time and loss simmer, and memories stretch across generations. When growth meets nostalgic recollections of Dehradun, every corner holds whispers of a fading past. Amidst change and longing, a subtle tension brews – between roots and restless hearts, belonging and departure. What happens when home is both a place and a memory?

With app-based ride-hailing services facing challenges from both driver unions and local competitors, a new wave of mobility solutions are emerging in smaller cities like Guwahati. From homegrown apps to state-backed initiatives, the landscape is shifting rapidly. How will this disrupt the duopoly of giants like Ola and Uber? Can local players truly compete in the long run, or will they be swallowed by bigger forces?

Auto-rickshaws are a lifeline for urban commuters in India, but lack of dedicated stands often turns convenience into chaos. As cities like Rajouri, Mangaluru, and Gurugram push for structured boarding zones, the debate continues: can designated auto-rickshaw stands really improve traffic flow and commuter experience? Or is there more to the puzzle of urban transport management in smaller cities?

In smaller Indian cities, public transport often struggles to meet the demands of commuters. From Srinagar to Hyderabad, limited bus fleets and unreliable services are a recurring issue, especially during peak times. As the challenges grow, the question arises: how can cities revamp their transport systems to make public transport a reliable choice for everyone? Ensuring a sufficient and consistent fleet could be the first step.

Citizen surveys are emerging as a crucial tool for urban development, from healthcare to transportation. From Kochi's bus route modifications to Noida’s efforts in last-mile connectivity, cities are actively seeking public input. These efforts mark a positive step, especially toward inclusive mobility. But the challenge lies in ensuring genuine public participation and translating feedback into actionable changes. Are these surveys genuinely influencing urban mobility plannin

Despite being the backbone of daily commutes, buses in Indian cities often run half-empty. Yet, Bhubaneswar’s Mo Bus service is defying the trend by seamlessly bringing together tech and accessibility to attract riders. As cities like Delhi and Surat look for ways to boost ridership, could Mo Bus hold the secret to getting more people on board? Or is the key to better urban mobility something more?

Who is making it easy for us to move? Behind India’s mobility shift are unlikely partnerships. Governments, CSOs, residents, and even e-bike startups are all co-creating better transport. From Cycle Days to Handlebar Surveys, citizen engagement is no longer symbolic. It’s strategic, sustained, and reshaping the rules of how cities listen, plan, and move forward.

From ward committees to WhatsApp polls, citizen voices now shape how cities move. But what stands between symbolic seats at the table and real decision-making power? Mapping the shift from passive input to active collaboration – online, offline, and in-between – there are lessons that cities can’t afford to ignore.

What happens when residents help design their own commute? From Bengaluru’s hotly debated bazaar pedestrianisation to nationwide ‘streets for people’ pilots, citizen voices test‑drive sustainable transport plans. Which lessons from these talks, trials, and temporary takeovers could steer India’s future mobility toward smarter, fairer city travel tomorrow?

What if the way we move in cities could change everything, from pollution to safety? India's non-motorised transport is on the rise, with walking and cycling reshaping life, promising steps toward a greener, healthier future. What challenges lie ahead, and how could active mobility cut through the urban chaos?

Karnataka’s draft Active Mobility Bill 2022 aims to create safer, more equitable streets for pedestrians and cyclists. But does it fully address all key challenges? From clarifying definitions to ensuring public participation, this feedback highlights vital gaps and opportunities. Will this bill set a new national standard for active mobility?