8 Metropolitan, 6 ‘Mega Cities’ Ranked By CSE
Emission levels are the least in Bhopal, which also guzzles the lowest amount of fuel for urban commute, while Pune is ranked 9 on overall emissions and energy use and number 8 at per trip energy use. Delhi is the worst on both these parameters among 14 Indian cities assessed and ranked by Delhibased think tank, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
In its study on cleanliness aspect of urban mobility in these cities, the CSE has found that though Kolkata and Mumbai figured at seventh and 10th positions in terms of overall emissions and energy consumption, these two cities emit the least among six mega cities due to high usage of public transport and walking.
The think tank selected 14 cities for its study as these are among the most populous in different regions and can be used as better indicators in the race for clean and low carbon mobility. The study groups Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad as “mega cities”, while the other eight are clubbed as metropolitan cities.
The overall analysis was done on the basis of the combined score on total emissions of heattrapping carbon dioxide and toxic pollutants like particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides, as well as energy-guzzling from urban commuting practices.
Kolkata figured at the top among the mega cities for the lowest level of emissions and energy consumption, banking on its “public transport culture, compact city design, high street density, short travel distances and restricted availability of land for roads and parking”.
Bhopal cleanest in overall emissions
On the other hand, Delhi, despite having the third-highest share of public transport trips, came at the bottom as overall emissions and fuel use are the highest due to the sheer number of personal vehicles, high volume of travel and long trip distances. “This negates per-trip emissions improvement derived from its CNG programme and limited public transport strategy,” said CSE’s report, “The Urban Commute”, which was released in Kolkata on Friday.
Delhi has, in fact, the highest vehicle stock among these cities. As a result, Delhi emits PM five times more than Kolkata and three times more than Mumbai. Besides, its poor rank is an effect of its relatively higher population compared to other mega cities.
The thinktank in its study analysed level of motorisation, travel demand based on population, share of different modes of transport (public transport, walking, cycling and personal vehicles), average length of daily travel trips and quality of vehicle technologies and fuels to come at its findings.
“This review has become necessary as greenhouse gas emissions from transport — though the third-highest currently among all sectors — has recorded the steepest increase. This is also responsible for health-damaging toxic exposure,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy), CSE.
The report attributed the increase in greenhouse gas emission from transport to massive motorisation in the past few years. It noted that it took 57 years (1951-2008) for India to cross the mark of 105 million registered vehicles. But thereafter, the same number was added in a mere six years (2009-15).
“Growing dependence on personal vehicles for urban commuting can lead to irreversible negative trends and damage,” said the report while issuing the ranking for those 14 cities.
Referring to city-specific ranking where Mumbai emits less and consumes lesser energy for urban commute than Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai and Delhi, it said, “Mumbai’s winning streak is a result of its public transport spine — primarily its suburban rail system.”
Source : TOI