Chennai

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Chennai, a bustling metropolis, faces significant challenges in its urban transport system. With an annual influx of 180,000 new cars and two-wheelers, the city’s streets are under immense pressure, leading to congestion and increasing transport costs. A significant portion of scheduled bus kilometres is routinely cancelled due to congestion, and around 40 percent of the population lacks access to buses within a 10-minute walking distance. The cost of congestion alone is estimated to be around ₹4000 Crores per year.

We believe that creating Healthy Streets—streets that prioritise walking, cycling, and access to public transport—will not only improve road safety but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve access to economic opportunities, and create a people-friendly city for all.

Why

To address Chennai’s complex transport issues, ITDP India collaborates closely with the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA). Our comprehensive approach covers various aspects of sustainable mobility, including walking and cycling infrastructure, safe commuting routes, transit-oriented development, and parking management.

Capacity building is a crucial aspect of our work, and we conduct workshops and consultations for officials, empowering them with the knowledge and expertise to drive sustainable transport initiatives. We actively support the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) to transform the city’s transport systems into a world-class, equitable, and socially just one.

In 2014, Chennai embarked on its long journey of transforming its streets, becoming the first Indian city to adopt a Non Motorised Transport (NMT) Policy. With the award-winning Chennai Street Design Project, the city has redesigned more than a hundred kilometres of streets so far and created a flagship Pedestrian Plaza in the heart of the city. The city is now looking to scale up its work to transform over 250 km of streets into Healthy Streets by 2025 through its ambitious Mega Streets Programme.

We also work closely with the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), Chennai’s public bus operator to support them in procuring new buses to augment their fleet and streamline their operations.