India Workshop on Low-Emission Zones Shapes the Future of Cities Across India
UITP India organised a National Workshop on ‘Shaping Tomorrow’s Cities Today: The Low-Emission Zone (LEZ) Journey’ on 27 November 2025 in New Delhi, bringing together policymakers, transport experts, researchers, and civil society leaders to accelerate India’s transition towards cleaner urban mobility.
The workshop opened with remarks from:
- Ms Rupa Nandy, Head of UITP India: A warm welcome.
- Dr Virinder Sharma, Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas: Underscoring the urgency of coordinated regulatory action to combat emissions.
- Mr Abhishek Kumar, CEO and Founder Trustee, Lung Care Foundation: Emphasising the public health imperative of adopting decisive measures to curb emissions in Indian cities.
Dr Virinder Sharma
Member (Technical), CAQM in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, Government of India
Advancing LEZ Governance for India’s Clean Mobility Future
With 40+ participants, the workshop opened with an in-depth exploration of the regulatory and governance foundations needed to advance LEZs in India, with contributions from stellar speakers like:
- Mr Sudhendu J. Sinha, Former Advisor – Infrastructure Connectivity & Electric Mobility, NITI Aayog
- Dr Virinder Sharma
- Mr Abhishek Kumar
- Ms Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director – Research and Advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)
- Dr Anju Goel, Senior Fellow and Associate Director, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
The discussions stressed on the importance of harmonised national standards, predictable enforcement frameworks, and strong institutional coordination to support cities in designing and implementing LEZs.
A key takeaway was the need for robust data systems and transparent compliance mechanisms to enable accurate emissions monitoring and performance assessment.
Participants also underscored the importance of sustained citizen engagement, noting that public awareness and behavioural shifts will be central to long-term LEZ success.
Delhi’s Path to Cleaner Skies
The dialogue then shifted to Delhi’s urgent air pollution challenges, with insights from Dr Virinder Sharma, Mr Abhishek Kumar, Ms Anumita Roychowdhury, and Ms Anupama Saha, Assistant General Manager, Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS).
The speakers highlighted the need for integrated planning to strengthen clean public transport and reduce private vehicle dependence. Stakeholders pointed to cleaner bus fleets, improved last-mile connectivity, and technology-enabled traffic and emissions management as essential steps for safeguarding public health.
It was widely agreed that, when embedded within broader mobility and health strategies, LEZs can be a transformative mechanism for reshaping Delhi’s urban environment.
Lessons From India’s Mobility Practitioners
The discussions continued with a practitioner-focused exchange featuring:
- Ms Anumita Roychowdhury
- Dr Anju Goel
- Mr Gokul T G, Additional General Manager (Urban Transport), Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL)
- Ms Devi Shree, Assistant Engineer, Kochi Municipal Corporation
- Mr Biju Isac, Regional Transport Officer (Enforcement), Motor Vehicles Department, Kerala
- Mr Navneet Chaudhary, Dy CGM (Traffic), Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC)
- Mr Parin Visariya, Program Manager – Inclusive Compact Cities, Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP)
- 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)
These stakeholders shared real-world lessons from pilot initiatives, offering insights on enforcement technologies, signage and communication strategies, and inter-agency coordination.
A central outcome was the consensus that successful LEZ implementation requires clear administrative ownership, cross-departmental alignment, and context-specific planning supported by credible emissions data.
UITP India presented a synopsis of the key takeaways from its research project on Enabling Mechanisms for Development of Low Emission Zones in India with focus on its work in the three case study cities of Kochi, Mysuru, and Bengaluru.
The workshop concluded with a collaborative open house where participants identified key barriers such as financing and capacity gaps, and outlined priorities for scaling LEZs across Indian cities, reaffirming their importance as a pathway to cleaner air and healthier, more resilient urban futures.
