Kolkata has the least overall emission levels and energy used from urban commute among the six megacities in the country though it generates the third highest number of trips by vehicles due to its large population, according to a CSE report released here today.
Its position on the two counts is better than the other five megacities - Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai as well as the metropolitan cities like Pune and Ahmedabad, the report 'The Urban Commute and How it contributes to Pollution and Energy Consumption' said today.
Delhi fared the worst in terms of overall toxic emissions, heat-trapping emission and energy consumption despite having better parametres than most other megacities due to highest vehicle stock among the six megacities, large population and long trip distances.
This negates per trip emissions improvement derived from its CNG programme amd limited public transport strategy.
The Centre for Science and Environment report said Bhopal has edge over all the 14 cities in the country, including the megacities, in terms of overall emission and energy use.
It has an advantage in terms of lower population, lesser number of vehicles and vehicle miles travelled compared to the megacities. Even though its personal transport use is higher, its average trip length of different modes is second lowest among all the cities, the report released by CSE, a leading research organisation promoting environmentally sound and equitable development strategies, said.
CSE Executive Director Anumita RoyChowdhury said on the sidelines of the programme, said "Even though Kolkata generates the third highest volume of trips due to its large population, it still has the lowest average trip length for a vehicle because of its compact urban form."
Asked about the reason behind public release of the report, RoyChowdhury said, "The purpose is to engage all stakeholders, including members of public, for constructive solution to certain issues."