The Indian government’s ambitious push towards sustainable transportation has significant implications for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, as the nation identifies ten high-impact highway corridors for the deployment of zero-emission trucks (ZETs).
This strategic initiative, aimed at decarbonising the logistics sector, reducing air pollution, enhancing energy security, and aligning with India’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, includes the vital Pune-Nashik corridor, a key artery connecting Mumbai’s economic hinterland. The selection of these corridors follows a comprehensive three-phase assessment process, prioritising routes with substantial freight traffic and industrial activity. The Pune-Nashik corridor’s inclusion in this national plan is particularly relevant for the Mumbai region, as it serves as a crucial link for the movement of goods between the major industrial hubs of Pune and Nashik, both of which have strong economic ties with Mumbai. The transition to zero-emission trucking on this route promises to have a tangible impact on reducing the carbon footprint of logistics operations serving Mumbai and its surrounding areas. Furthermore, it aligns with the broader agenda of creating more eco-friendly and sustainable urban centres by addressing the environmental impact of freight transport.
Nationally, the government’s focus on these ten corridors – which also include Delhi–Chandigarh, Delhi–Jaipur, Dhanbad–Kolkata, Kolkata–Haldia, Vijayawada–Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru–Chennai, Chennai–Viluppuram, Coimbatore–Salem, and Coimbatore–Kochi – underscores the urgency of addressing emissions from the trucking sector. Despite constituting a small percentage of the total vehicle population, trucks contribute disproportionately to transport-related carbon dioxide emissions. Given that road transportation accounts for the majority of freight movement in India, the transition to ZETs is a critical step towards cleaner air and a more sustainable future for cities like Mumbai that rely heavily on efficient logistics networks. The strategic roadmap for this transition is outlined in a report released by Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, with support from the Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking (CoEZET) at IIT Madras, the Rocky Mountain Institute, and pManifold. This report is expected to guide policy decisions, infrastructure investments in charging facilities along these corridors, and the formation of public-private partnerships to accelerate the adoption of ZETs.
Complementing this initiative is the PM E-DRIVE scheme, launched in 2024 with a significant financial commitment to promote the adoption of zero-emission transport solutions nationwide. This scheme provides subsidies for the purchase of electric trucks, incentivising fleet operators to transition to cleaner alternatives, particularly when coupled with the scrapping of older, more polluting vehicles. By focusing on these key freight corridors, including the one directly impacting the Mumbai region, India is taking concrete steps towards modernising its transportation infrastructure and achieving its long-term climate goals, paving the way for greener and more sustainable urban logistics.
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