Campaign Partners: YLAC, Parisar, and Waatavaran under the Sustainable Mobility Network (SMN)
Decision Makers: Elected representatives and political leaders in Maharashtra
Why This Matters
Maharashtra is at a pivotal moment in its urban development. As cities continue to expand and the population grows more diverse, the state’s transportation infrastructure is struggling to keep pace. What was once a question of efficiency has now become a crisis—rising pollution, worsening congestion, and growing social inequities are threatening the very fabric of urban life. As we approach the 2024 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections, the state‘s mobility challenges demand immediate attention.
Poor urban mobility leads to rising pollution, road accidents, and restricted access to basic services—especially for marginalised groups like women, persons with disabilities, and low-income communities. These challenges put lives at risk and worsen the quality of life for everyone.
The Maharashtra Urban Mobility Charter
The Maharashtra Mobility Charter presents a forward-thinking vision for the state’s transportation, offering sustainable, inclusive, and equitable solutions ahead of the 2024 elections.
Developed through extensive consultations with urban mobility experts, civil society organizations, and sustainability advocates, the Charter aims to ensure that diverse voices are represented.
The charter presents a comprehensive set of demands which focus on improved governance, enhanced public health and safety, better public transportation, promotion of non-motorized transport (NMT), and adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).
Take Action
We need your support to make this vision a reality. Sign the petition to help us bring this Charter to the attention of future members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Every signature matters and your endorsement can drive the sustainable and inclusive mobility reforms outlined in this Charter.
We also encourage you to share the petition with your network and use the hashtag #MajhiMobility to spread the word. Together, we can build a better, more sustainable future for Maharashtra.
List of Demands
Governance
Finalisation of the draft Maharashtra Urban Mobility Policy (MUMP). Specifically,
Creation of a statutory Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) in all million-plus cities.
Formulation and implementation of Comprehensive Mobility Plans (CMPs)/Sustainable Mobility Plans (SMPs) in all Municipal Corporations.
Ensuring transparency in the working of the agencies and public participation in decision-making.
Implementing a policy for rationalizing investments based on costs by prioritizing low-cost public projects that benefit maximum people over high-cost projects such as road expansions, which benefit fewer people.
Public Health and Safety
Formulating and adopting a State Road Safety Action Plan that focuses on safety over travel speed.
Implementing the transportation measures in the Air Action Plans in all non-attainment cities.
Implementing Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in all million-plus cities.
Public Transportation and Non-Motorised Transport
Enhancing the public bus-based transport system in Municipal Corporations to meet the standard of 50 buses/lakh population [1].
Adopting and implementing a State Level Gender Policy for Public Transport.
Providing subsidy for all non-AC intra-city bus travel for women by the state government.
Developing accessible and inclusive non-motorized transport (NMT) infrastructure. Specifically,
Preparation and implementation of Comprehensive Bicycle Plans ensuring the development of continuous, dedicated cycling lanes and parking facilities near transit nodes.
Cycle distribution scheme for all students in the state, especially girl students.
Public Bicycle Schemes in all major cities [2].
Development of safe pedestrian-centric public infrastructure.
High-quality footpaths and safe pedestrian crossings on all major roads in every city.
Ensure children can safely walk/cycle to school by implementing "safe school zones".
Integrating the public transport network with paratransit modes and NMT infrastructure to improve last-mile connectivity.
Implementing universal design principles in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act [3] 2016 in all transport systems, ensuring full accessibility for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
E-Mobility
Ensuring that 75% of all charging points within cities are powered by renewable energy by 2029.
Electrifying last-mile delivery fleets operated by aggregators/operators (cab aggregators, e-commerce, logistics, food and grocery delivery companies) by 2029 including,
50% four-wheelers
80% two-wheelers
80% three-wheelers
Electrifying intra-city public transport fleets by 2029 including,
100% of all intra-city buses in the Greater Mumbai and Pune urban agglomerations.
50% of all intra-city buses in the Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Nashik urban agglomerations.
50% of all auto-rickshaws in the Greater Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Nashik urban agglomerations.
Ensuring that by 2029, 100% of all lithium-ion EV batteries sold in the state are being recycled.
Co-drafted by Parisar, Waatavaran, and YLAC under the Sustainable Mobility Network, the Charter is supported by organisations including the Centre for Sustainable Development, Centre for Environment Education, R Nisarg Foundation, Clean Energy Access Network (CLEAN), Sarg Design Studio, Fridays For Future Mumbai, Save Pune Traffic Movement, and Urban Research Foundation.
The Charter will be submitted to political parties and leaders throughout Maharashtra, urging them to prioritise these demands in their electoral agendas.
Please see a shareable version of our demands here.
Sources
Campaign Partners: YLAC, Parisar, and Waatavaran under the Sustainable Mobility Network (SMN)
Decision Makers: Elected representatives and political leaders in Maharashtra
Why This Matters
Maharashtra is at a pivotal moment in its urban development. As cities continue to expand and the population grows more diverse, the state’s transportation infrastructure is struggling to keep pace. What was once a question of efficiency has now become a crisis—rising pollution, worsening congestion, and growing social inequities are threatening the very fabric of urban life. As we approach the 2024 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections, the state‘s mobility challenges demand immediate attention.
Poor urban mobility leads to rising pollution, road accidents, and restricted access to basic services—especially for marginalised groups like women, persons with disabilities, and low-income communities. These challenges put lives at risk and worsen the quality of life for everyone.
The Maharashtra Urban Mobility Charter
The Maharashtra Mobility Charter presents a forward-thinking vision for the state’s transportation, offering sustainable, inclusive, and equitable solutions ahead of the 2024 elections.
Developed through extensive consultations with urban mobility experts, civil society organizations, and sustainability advocates, the Charter aims to ensure that diverse voices are represented.
The charter presents a comprehensive set of demands which focus on improved governance, enhanced public health and safety, better public transportation, promotion of non-motorized transport (NMT), and adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).
Take Action
We need your support to make this vision a reality. Sign the petition to help us bring this Charter to the attention of future members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Every signature matters and your endorsement can drive the sustainable and inclusive mobility reforms outlined in this Charter.
We also encourage you to share the petition with your network and use the hashtag #MajhiMobility to spread the word. Together, we can build a better, more sustainable future for Maharashtra.
List of Demands
Governance
Finalisation of the draft Maharashtra Urban Mobility Policy (MUMP). Specifically,
Creation of a statutory Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) in all million-plus cities.
Formulation and implementation of Comprehensive Mobility Plans (CMPs)/Sustainable Mobility Plans (SMPs) in all Municipal Corporations.
Ensuring transparency in the working of the agencies and public participation in decision-making.
Implementing a policy for rationalizing investments based on costs by prioritizing low-cost public projects that benefit maximum people over high-cost projects such as road expansions, which benefit fewer people.
Public Health and Safety
Formulating and adopting a State Road Safety Action Plan that focuses on safety over travel speed.
Implementing the transportation measures in the Air Action Plans in all non-attainment cities.
Implementing Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in all million-plus cities.
Public Transportation and Non-Motorised Transport
Enhancing the public bus-based transport system in Municipal Corporations to meet the standard of 50 buses/lakh population [1].
Adopting and implementing a State Level Gender Policy for Public Transport.
Providing subsidy for all non-AC intra-city bus travel for women by the state government.
Developing accessible and inclusive non-motorized transport (NMT) infrastructure. Specifically,
Preparation and implementation of Comprehensive Bicycle Plans ensuring the development of continuous, dedicated cycling lanes and parking facilities near transit nodes.
Cycle distribution scheme for all students in the state, especially girl students.
Public Bicycle Schemes in all major cities [2].
Development of safe pedestrian-centric public infrastructure.
High-quality footpaths and safe pedestrian crossings on all major roads in every city.
Ensure children can safely walk/cycle to school by implementing "safe school zones".
Integrating the public transport network with paratransit modes and NMT infrastructure to improve last-mile connectivity.
Implementing universal design principles in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act [3] 2016 in all transport systems, ensuring full accessibility for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
E-Mobility
Ensuring that 75% of all charging points within cities are powered by renewable energy by 2029.
Electrifying last-mile delivery fleets operated by aggregators/operators (cab aggregators, e-commerce, logistics, food and grocery delivery companies) by 2029 including,
50% four-wheelers
80% two-wheelers
80% three-wheelers
Electrifying intra-city public transport fleets by 2029 including,
100% of all intra-city buses in the Greater Mumbai and Pune urban agglomerations.
50% of all intra-city buses in the Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Nashik urban agglomerations.
50% of all auto-rickshaws in the Greater Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Nashik urban agglomerations.
Ensuring that by 2029, 100% of all lithium-ion EV batteries sold in the state are being recycled.
Co-drafted by Parisar, Waatavaran, and YLAC under the Sustainable Mobility Network, the Charter is supported by organisations including the Centre for Sustainable Development, Centre for Environment Education, R Nisarg Foundation, Clean Energy Access Network (CLEAN), Sarg Design Studio, Fridays For Future Mumbai, Save Pune Traffic Movement, and Urban Research Foundation.
The Charter will be submitted to political parties and leaders throughout Maharashtra, urging them to prioritise these demands in their electoral agendas.
Please see a shareable version of our demands here.
Sources