The future of transport is electric

Countries need to get the policy mix right to encourage the switch to electric vehicles  

Bicycles pave the way

Automobiles were not the harbingers of good roads—at least not in USA

India's ambitious plan to boost biofuel likely to fail without roadmap

In Chhattisgarh, which was supposed to emerge as a biofuel hub by 2014, the plan for establishing biodiesel industry never took off

When the Himalayas lose: Assessing Char Dham Pariyojana judgment

The route, which connects 4 ancient Himalayan pilgrimages, runs through fragile valleys of Bhagirathi: The Ganga, Alaknanda, Mandakini and Yamuna

Indian roads not environment-friendly; Centre explores potential of inland waterways

Poor road conditions cause India an annual loss of US $21.3 billion. That’s nearly what it allocated for agriculture and farmer welfare, …

Highway projects mow down ecolaws

India's road networking plan, one of the few projects that are progressing ahead of schedule, is flouting a number of environmental guidelines

India’s draft road safety bill focuses more on penalty and technology

Death and injury prevention get little attention

Houses damaged, power supply and road transport hit due to tornado in Odisha

The tornado hit seaside villages in Kendrapara district at 4 pm on June 15

How we feel about our cars means the road to a driverless future may not be smooth

Research suggests people’s attitudes to driving and their cars could limit predicted benefits to traffic flow and city efficiency

Char Dham project to miss deadline, Centre blames court cases

Parliamentary answer reveals Rs 1,800 crore has already been spent on the project

How is Southeast Asia’s charge to EVs going?

Who’s leading the race to develop electric vehicles in Southeast Asia? The answer is complicated.  

Walking and good roads a fundamental right: Bombay HC

In most Indian cities, pedestrians outnumber vehicle users. Yet, they remain invisible in policy action

Centre asks road-making authorities to avoid construction in protected areas

Get all clearances for unavoidable projects through national parks, sanctuaries: Ministry to NHAI, others

Bearing climate burden?

RTI reveals MoEF&CC cleared 3 highway proposals disregarding WII’s views

Ranthambhore tigers, Chambal gharials and a host of other species could be in trouble due to the clearance given to the highway proposals

Fat? Blame petrol

Book>> The Energy Glut: The Politics of Fatness in an Overheating World • Ian Roberts with Phil Edwards, • Zed Books • £12

Road maze

The controversy around the Kandi road through the Corbett Tiger Reserve

Whither freedom?

Post independence, governments expanded squeezing village republics out of existence

THE FOUNTAINHEAD DONGRIPARA, DHAMTARI DISTRICT, CHATTISGARH

Spark came from non-recognition as a village • Integrated management of forest and water • Sees self-governance as a matter of …

THE SECOND INDEPENDENCE

Tiny forgotten villages teach India a firsthand lesson in governance. Down To Earth reporters and photographers fan out to six states to discover …

A memo to the government

To be a truly participatory republic, India must take tutorials from these tiny republics

In Birsa's Land: Horomocho (Hazaribagh, Jharkhand)

A coal mine to own and manage • Sustainability not profit as a principle • Revival of an ancient Santhal system of governance

Unshakable: Nimalapedu (Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh)

Reminded India of its constitutional mandate for village autonomy • Fought bauxite companies for not getting gram sabha consent • Has …

A Republican Paradise: Mendha (Gadchirolli, Maharashtra)

Defied the Forest Act ÔÇó Every resident contributes part of annual income for community works ÔÇó If somebody bribes a …

Consumer information system on fuel economy can help car buyers go green

Fuel efficiency is rarely a consumer’s primary concern, and vehicle manufacturers have little incentive to innovate technology