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ITDP began work in India in 1996 with a program to modernize rickshaws and has since expanded to work in Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Pimpri-Chinchwad/Pune, and Surat. In 2009, with technical support from ITDP, Ahmedabad’s Janmarg bus rapid transit (BRT) system opened and earned the city the 2010 Sustainable Transportation Award [hyperlink to page] for reducing carbon emissions and dramatically improving public transit.

Supporting local government, ITDP is involved in detailed planning and execution of infrastructure and systems for pedestrian and cyclist safety and comfort. We also work on parking management and pricing, as well as sustainable transport policy to encourage reduced car use and transit-oriented development. ITDP also is moving into urban design and planning, with the release of its Street Design Manual [hyperlink to document].

ITDP’s long involvement in India began with the Indian Cycle Rickshaw Modernization Project. Unique among transport initiatives, this project was aimed at working with the private sector to help underwrite the costs of innovation, while increasing employment and income among the poor. The redesigned rickshaw reduced the weight of the vehicles, improved safety and comfort, made pedaling easier, and increased the rickshaw operators’ wages. Today, over 300,000 modernized cycle rickshaws are operating in nine of India’s major cities.

ITDP works in the following Indian cities:

Ahmedabad
The Ahmedabad BRT system, Janmarg, is the best hope in India to prove that BRT can provide a metro-level of service at a much lower cost.

Chennai
In 2010, ITDP began working on comprehensive planning of public transit operations.

Delhi
ITDP began advocacy work by mobilizing rickshaw supporters.

Pimpri-Chinchwad/Pune
ITDP focuses its efforts on ensuring that Pimpri-Chinchwad/Pune builds a world-class BRT system.

Surat
In 2009, ITDP signed on to support non-motorized transport planning, which began with a complete streets program.

Rajkot
ITDP recently began working with the Rajkot Municipal Corporation to develop citywide street design guidelines.

For more information about India, please contact:
Shreya Gadepalli, Senior Program Director
india@itdp.org


In just seven months of the Ahmedabad BRT opening, 34% of commuters had shifted from private vehicles to BRT.
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