Pimpri Chinchwad’s Exemplary Path to Sustainable Urban Mobility 

Pimpri Chinchwad is pioneering urban mobility, blending accessibility, green spaces, and citizen-focused initiatives.

In Pimpri Chinchwad, we’ve taken a long-term, strategic approach to urban mobility through our City Vision 2030, where sustainable mobility is a critical component. What sets us apart is the commitment of successive commissioners to carry forward these initiatives, each building upon the foundations laid by their predecessors.  

Our efforts began on a smaller scale, focusing on specific road sections to measure and refine our approach. One key project, undertaken as part of the Smart City Mission, is in the Pimple Saudagar area. Here, we’ve integrated the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), cycling tracks, and pedestrian walkways alongside a linear garden, creating spaces for residents to exercise, relax, and socialize, with dynamic pause points incorporated along the walkways. 

Learning from such initiatives, we launched the Harit Setu project, which aims to create “15-minute neighborhoods” that offer residents access to essential services, such as grocery stores and medical facilities, within a 15-minute walk from their homes. This concept is pioneering in India and makes Pimpri Chinchwad one of nine cities globally that have adopted this approach.  

We’re also addressing connectivity challenges posed by ongoing metro construction with such initiatives as first-mile/last-mile connectivity. Our pilot project in the Nigdi Pradhikaran area will be funded through green bonds, underscoring our commitment to sustainable finance and urban development. Over the next decade, we plan to scale this neighborhood development across 200–250 kilometers of the city’s roads, ensuring sustainability and enhancing connectivity through arterial roads and local projects. 

One key challenge is addressing the needs of marginalized groups who rely heavily on public transport and walking. These are the hidden voices in our urban planning, often overshadowed by the needs of private vehicle owners. The challenge lies in creating infrastructure that serves both ends of the spectrum, especially in India, where income disparity means some residents cannot afford basic transportation like auto-rickshaws or two-wheelers. 

One key challenge is addressing the needs of marginalized groups who rely heavily on public transport and walking.

Public perception of pedestrian walkways and cycling tracks also needs to shift. Many see these as encroachments on car space, but the reality is that such infrastructure provides safe passage for pedestrians and cyclists. Pune district has one of the highest rates of road accidents in India, so the need for safer, dedicated lanes is pressing. 

We have taken a participatory approach to projects like Harit Setu, engaging citizens from the outset through consultation. This participatory method extends to the planning, conceptualization, and implementation phases of our urban mobility projects. However, media engagement is crucial in helping citizens understand that these are not merely beautification efforts but essential safety measures. This is why we’re formulating a Harit Setu communications strategy, to keep our citizens informed and invested in the project’s success. 

We have taken a participatory approach; engaging citizens from the outset through consultation, to the planning, conceptualization, and implementation of our urban mobility projects.

Balancing urban connectivity with environmental conservation is central to our planning. In our Development Plan, we made provisions for green spaces, including parks, gardens, and urban jungles. A major example is the Durgadevi Tekdi, a green space preserved for over 30 years. We are also creating new green spaces, like the 70-acre urban forest and biodiversity park in Talwade. 

Tree planting is another significant focus. In 2023, we planted 190,000 trees and by the end of 2024, we aim to plant 200,000. One important administrative shift has been appointing specialized landscape contractors, instead of civil contractors, to maintain these green spaces. This ensures proper care for the plants and soil, contributing to the long-term health of our urban environment. 

In 2023, we planted 190,000 trees and by the end of 2024, we aim to plant 200,000. 

We are also working to integrate sustainability into all our development projects. For instance, we ensure that every new road built includes shaded walkways for pedestrians. This requires significant investment – around INR 7–8 billion annually for the next five to six years. 

To manage this in an organized way, we are setting up a Sustainability Cell with six verticals:  

1. Mobility 

2. Urban Landscapes 

3. Climate Finance 

4. Social Inclusion 

5. Disaster Resilience 

6. Environmental Conservation  

Eventually, we aim to rate our projects on a sustainability scale, ensuring that projects that don’t meet these criteria undergo substantial revision. 

We are also exploring climate budgeting, a practice of factoring the environmental impact of projects into financial planning. Cities like Mumbai, Oslo, and London are leading in this area, and we plan to introduce it in 2025-2026, transitioning fully by 2026-2027. 

There are several initiatives that other cities across India could adopt. First and foremost is the concept of city planning itself. A clear city strategy, like our City Vision 2030, allows for long-term consistency across administrations. 

The Harit Setu project is one example that could be scaled up in other cities, though it requires significant investment and public awareness to succeed. The BRTS system is another model that can be replicated in other Indian cities, particularly those with wide road spaces and growing populations. Planning is essential, with sufficient road width and good bus frequency as prerequisites for success. 

Additionally, we have tackled urban flooding by conducting a comprehensive survey of our drainage networks. This is crucial in many Indian cities facing flooding due to encroachment on natural water channels. We identified areas where we need to restore the width of our nalas (drainage channels) and are building interceptor drains to direct wastewater to sewage treatment plants, preventing river pollution. 

On riverfront development, our 5-pronged approach consists of:  

1. Cleaning the river 

2. Reducing the risk of flooding and erosion 

3. Creating a continuous public realm along the river 

4. Improving accessibility and connectivity 

5. Making the river navigable 

Lastly, our Graded Response Action Plan for air quality could serve as a model for other cities. This plan triggers specific actions – like halting construction or restricting heavy vehicle movement – when air quality deteriorates. Such measures are critical in managing urban pollution, especially during peak times like October to December. 

My vision is for Pimpri Chinchwad to become a city where our rivers are restored to their former glory. Fifteen years ago, you could drink water from the Pavana River. Our goal is to return to that level of cleanliness. Achieving this will require substantial upgrades in technology, particularly in areas like sewage treatment. 

In terms of infrastructure, we’re on the right track, but consistency will be key. Our focus on sustainability, mobility, and environmental conservation will continue to guide us, ensuring that Pimpri Chinchwad becomes a city that meets the needs of its citizens while setting an example for sustainable urban development across India.