Whalesbook
India's recent calls for sustainable mobility, including electric vehicles (EVs) and public transport, come as oil prices surge. While the Prime Minister's message emphasizes national responsibility, it clashes with a significant gap: the country's transport infrastructure is severely underfunded. Unlike many global leaders who have long made such shifts a core part of their budgets and city planning, India faces a different reality.
As Brent crude oil prices stay above $100 a barrel, Prime Minister Modi has made several appeals, urging people to work from home or reduce non-essential spending to ease fuel demand. These calls aim to protect India from volatile energy markets, seeking a national commitment similar to past energy crises. Yet, this strategy overlooks a key need: infrastructure that makes sustainable transport accessible, safe, and reliable. People cannot be expected to use public transport that is inadequate or walk on dangerous roads. This gap between appealing for change and budgeting for it is a major obstacle to real sustainable mobility.
International examples show how countries tackle energy crises and mobility issues. Norway, for instance, has heavily promoted EVs, with nearly all new car sales now electric, thanks to decades of supportive policy. China has become a leader in EV sales through strong industrial strategy. Singapore aims for all new vehicles to be zero-emission by 2040. London's Ultra Low Emission Zone has significantly cut air pollution. Shenzhen even electrified its entire 16,000-bus fleet. In sharp contrast, India spends only about 1.7% of its GDP on transport infrastructure, with most of this going to roads and highways. Public transit, walking, and cycling facilities remain critically underfunded. This imbalance costs India approximately 3.14% of its GDP annually due to road crashes, which result in over 50,000 pedestrian deaths each year. The country also imports over $123 billion in crude oil annually, a cost increased by the lack of sustainable alternatives. In Delhi, the metro (DMRC) carries over 235.8 crore passengers annually (as of 2025 figures), averaging 64.6 lakh daily. Delhi's buses also move over a crore passengers each day. However, bus ridership has fallen nearly 20% since 2019-20, linked to issues with speed, safety, and reliability on crowded roads. This shows that even in well-served cities, public transport struggles to compete with private vehicles unless it is a top priority.
India's funding approach to mobility reveals a deeper structural problem. While other nations view sustainable transport as a key economic and social investment, India has consistently allocated only a small portion of its transport budget to crucial elements like footpaths, bus electrification, and cycling paths. This persistent underfunding makes the Prime Minister's appeals for people to use public transport seem out of step when the systems are unreliable or inadequate. Experts note that significant capital must be shifted within the transport sector. Moving away from a focus solely on roads is necessary to realize the economic benefits of efficient, clean, and safe urban travel.
The biggest threat to India's sustainable mobility goals isn't the global economy, but its own budget priorities. Relying on public appeals for behavioral change is not enough without substantial funding for essential infrastructure. While global examples show clear benefits from investing in public transport and active travel, India's ongoing focus on building roads diverts vital funds. This leaves the nation less prepared than others to build robust, fair, and environmentally friendly urban transport systems. India continues to face high road death rates, serious air pollution, and economic losses from its inefficient transport system. Unless specific budgets are set aside for footpaths, electric buses, and bike lanes, any short-term impact from appeals will fade, leaving the core mobility crisis unresolved.
To secure India's mobility future, sustainable transport must be treated as a core budget item, not an optional expense. Urban planners and economists agree that dedicated funding for footpaths, electric buses, cycle lanes, and clean air initiatives is crucial. Such investments promise significant returns: less traffic, lower oil import costs, better public health, and greater economic productivity. This approach, supported by consistent budget allocation, offers the only practical way forward beyond mere calls for change.