The aspirational shift of urban transport infrastructure: the emerging mobility transition in India

Joshi, Rutul and Arundhathi, - (2025) The aspirational shift of urban transport infrastructure: the emerging mobility transition in India. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning. pp. 1-15. ISSN 1523-908X

[thumbnail of The aspirational shift of urban transport infrastructure  the emerging mobility transition in India.pdf] Text
The aspirational shift of urban transport infrastructure the emerging mobility transition in India.pdf - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

Download (715kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Witnessing an immense increase in its urban transport investments since the 2000s, the early 2000s in India saw a number of bus rapid transit, walking, and cycling projects. However, many of these projects were systematically stalled through bad press, judicial interventions, and, eventually, the reduction or withdrawal of funding. In 2015, Indian transport policies gradually entered the new infrastructure regime, promising ‘world-class’ and supposedly sustainable mobility options with smart technology and shiny public infrastructure. Large-scale investments were made in building and expanding road infrastructure and metro rail projects, and promoting electric vehicles. Employing discourse analysis to study policy documents across the years, we argue that there has been a shift in transport planning policy from ‘affordable’ to ‘aspirational’ transport infrastructure and with sustainability used as a buzzword. Whether these are the aspirations of the State or the people, infrastructure building has become an important part of political value signaling. As the aspirational aspects become the new rationality guiding the funding and implementation of infrastructure projects, sustainability remains in the policy rhetoric, and the concerns of accessibility and affordability recede into the background. The prevalence and popularity of ‘aspirational infrastructure’ define the ongoing low-carbon mobility transition in the Global South.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Social Sciences and humanities > Social Sciences > Planning and Development
Social Sciences and humanities > Social Sciences > Communication and Transportation
JGU School/Centre: Jindal School of Journalism & Communication
Depositing User: Mr. Gautam Kumar
Date Deposited: 05 Jun 2025 06:12
Last Modified: 05 Jun 2025 06:12
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/1523908X.2025.2514581
URI: https://pure.jgu.edu.in/id/eprint/9602

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item