As Indian cities strive to create cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable urban environments, the concept of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) is emerging as a crucial policy tool to tackle rising air pollution and decarbonise urban mobility.
UITP India is organising a National Workshop on “Shaping Tomorrow’s Cities Today: The Low Emission Zone Journey” with the aim to bring together policymakers, city authorities, transport operators, urban planners, technology providers, and researchers to explore the path towards potential implementation of LEZs in Indian cities.
In the contemporary times, LEZs present an opportunity to rethink mobility planning—integrating sustainable transport, land use, and environmental policies for liveable, people-centric cities. This one-day national workshop intends to build awareness, share experiences, and discuss practical frameworks for designing, implementing and managing LEZs that align with India’s Net Zero ambitions.
What You Will Learn
Understanding the policy and regulatory framework for LEZs in India
Global best practices and lessons learned from early adopters
Integrating clean mobility solutions into LEZ design
Building stakeholder coordination and public acceptance
Who is it for?
National and city-level transport and environment authorities.
Urban planners, policy experts, and mobility professionals.
Representatives from public transport undertakings, OEMs, and solution providers.
Academia, research institutions, and development agencies.
Programme
Registration & Tea
10:30–11:00
Focus: Setting the context for the workshop, highlighting the importance of Low Emission Zones (LEZ) and offering perspectives from government, technical, and health sector leaders to frame the day’s discussions.
Welcome Remarks – Ms Rupa Nandy, Head of UITP India
Keynote Address – Dr Virinder Sharma, Member (Technical), Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, Government of India
Opening Remarks – Mr Abhishek Kumar, CEO and Founder Trustee, Lung Care Foundation
Focus: Explores regulatory and governance structures needed to successfully implement LEZs in Indian cities, featuring insights from city administrators, authorities, and experts.
Moderator and context setting – UITP
Panel:
Mr Sudhendu J. Sinha, Former Advisor, NITI Aayog
Dr Virinder Sharma, Member (Technical), Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, Government of India
Mr Abhishek Kumar, CEO and Founder Trustee, Lung Care Foundation
Ms Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director – Research and Advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment
Dr Anju Goel, Senior Fellow & Associate Director, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
Ms Bhavna Rathee, Director – Sustainability and Climate Change, EY (TBC)
Ms Swati Khanna, Senior Sector Specialist – Urban Development and Mobility, KfW (TBC)
Focus: Discussion on measures of tackling Delhi’s air pollution through sustainable, equitable, and health-centered strategies.
Mr Abhishek Kumar, CEO and Founder Trustee, Lung Care Foundation
Dr Virinder Sharma, Member (Technical), Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, Government of India
Ms Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director – Research and Advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)
Ms Anupama Mazumder, Assistant General Manager, Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS)
Lunch
13:15–14:00
Focus: Brings together city officials, experts from civil society and research organisations to share practical lessons and innovations in operationalising LEZ policies across diverse city contexts.
Moderator and context setting – UITP
Speakers:
Mr Anshul Mishra, IAS, Additional Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) & Ex Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA)
Ms Anumita Roy Chowdhury, Executive Director – Research and Advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)
Dr Anju Goel, Senior Fellow & Associate Director, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
Assistant Engineer, Kochi Municipal Corporation
Mr Biju Isac, Regional Transport Officer (Enforcement), Motor Vehicles Department, Kochi
Mr Gokul T G, Additional General Manager (Urban Transport), Kochi Metro Rail Limited
Mr Navneet Chaudhary, Dy CGM (Traffic), Delhi Transport Corporation
Ms Kanika Gounder, Senior Program Associate, Electric Mobility, World Resources Institute (WRI)
Dr Arpan Patra, Programme Associate – Clean Air and Sustainable Mobility, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)
Mr Vaibhav Kush, Researcher, International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)
Focus: Engages participants in an interactive discussion to identify key implementation hurdles and collaboratively chart strategic directions for scaling up LEZs in Indian cities.
High Tea
15:30–15:45
Practical information
Venue Details
Magnolia Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India
