Agartala is the capital city of one of our eastern most states of India, Tripura. Even with much smaller vehicle numbers the city is witnessing increase in pollution levels and severe congestion. The city is built for walking and cycling and buses. The city must retain its strength and not let cars take over the space.

Air and mobility facts

Personal vehicles dominate the fleet. Car growth rate matches that of bigger cities

Source: “City Development Plan-Agartala” by Urban Development Department, Govt. of Tripura, 2006

Air quality trends – Annual average levels of PM10 and NOx
Particulate matter

Nitrogen dioxide

Congestion:
Peak hour traffic speed in Agartala varies from as low as 8 kmph to 24 kmph. About 40 per cent of the road length has speed less than 20kmph. About 60 percent of road length has speed varying from 20-30kmph

Public action:

ARPAN: This is a network of civil society volunteers that represent a multi-disciplinary group. 

Action: ARPAN has taken the initiative to fight an air pollution case in the Guwahati High Court. They have succeeded in obtaining a directive from the High Court on an action plan to control vehicular pollution. They have stepped up campaign to implement this action plan.

Key contact
Biswendu Bhattachayra, Secretary, Arpan

Policy action

Action on vehicles

• Euro II and Euro III norms for vehicles and fuels

• Strengthened PUC system with new equipment and norms;

• CNG programme: Plans to make all public and private vehicles in Agartala run on CNG by 2013. 788 CNG autos, and 65 cars/ taxis in 2008-09

• Phasing out  of old vehicles

• New buses introduced

• Entry time of transit commercial vehicles restricted

• Battery operated three wheelers are being encouraged.