Uttar Pradesh, home to the largest vehicle population in India, is facing worsening air quality and rising congestion across its cities. A new set of reports released by The Climate Agenda, a grassroots climate advocacy group, has called for urgent measures to transform the state’s mobility systems and strengthen its electric vehicle (EV) policy.

The two commissioned studies—From Gridlock to Green Inclusive Mobility: Analysing Traffic, Air Quality, and Public Transport Opportunities in Lucknow and Assessment of Uttar Pradesh Electric Vehicle Manufacturing and Mobility Policy 2022—were unveiled on Saturday in collaboration with IIT-BHU and EnviroCatalysts. Together, they combine ground-level data with policy insights to advance the case for clean and inclusive mobility.

The mobility study on Lucknow reveals the severe socio-economic fallout of unchecked vehicle registrations, chronic congestion, and rising air pollution. Based on TomTom Traffic Data (August 2024), the report notes peak gridlock between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily, with daytime hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. also heavily congested. Vehicular emissions, it warns, are worsening public health outcomes. Citing a 2020 Energy Policy Institute (University of Chicago) study, the report found air pollution has shortened life expectancy in Lucknow by 6.5 years compared to regions meeting WHO standards.

The report highlights a sharp reliance on private transport, with two-wheelers accounting for 51% and cars 29% of Lucknow’s total vehicle registrations in 2023–24, while public transport remains underutilized. This imbalance has intensified traffic snarls and pushed pollution to critical levels.

“Both studies underline the need for a comprehensive strategy to turn Uttar Pradesh into a hub for investment, innovation, and sustainable living,” said Ekta Shekhar, Director of The Climate Agenda. She stressed the importance of people-centric, inclusive, and climate-resilient mobility policies.

The second report provides a detailed gap analysis of Uttar Pradesh’s EV Manufacturing and Mobility Policy 2022, identifying 37 opportunities for improvement. Key recommendations include clearer performance benchmarks, better financial access for EV adoption, stronger focus on social equity, improved charging infrastructure, and policies to boost green industrial growth.

“Lucknow’s congestion, air pollution, and dependence on private vehicles are deeply interlinked,” said Sunil Dahiya, founder of EnviroCatalysts. “With the right infrastructure and policies, the city can lead India’s clean mobility transition.”

Adding to this, Dr. Abhisek Mudgal, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at IIT-BHU, emphasized that “smart traffic management, stronger bus corridors, and consistent government support” can make Lucknow a model for sustainable growth and cleaner air.

Jointly published by Harit Safar and the Sustainable Urban Mobility Collective, the reports provide a roadmap for Uttar Pradesh to align mobility growth with public health, environmental sustainability, and equitable development.