The Challenge
In-use vehicular emissions remain one of the largest sources of air pollution across Indian cities, posing a persistent challenge to public health, climate, and urban mobility. Addressing this challenge requires more than incremental interventions — it demands institutional mechanisms that can integrate research directly into governance.
Using Research and Innovation to Address Vehicular Pollution: The TRPU Model
The Transport Research and Programmatic Unit (TRPU) was conceived by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC India) as a pioneering model to bridge this gap by embedding evidence, innovation, and programmatic expertise within government systems to advance sustainable mobility and clean air outcomes.
The TRPU demonstrates how long-term, embedded collaboration between policymakers and researchers can translate evidence into on-ground impact. Through its ongoing collaboration with the Transport Department, Government of NCT of Delhi, the TRPU is supporting the city’s efforts to reduce in-use vehicular emissions and improve transport efficiency. Delhi serves as the first example of this model in action — where the TRPU’s research, technical support, and programmatic engagement are shaping a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to transport governance.
From Research to Reform
Among its key contributions, the TRPU has developed a first-of-its-kind congestion pricing framework for India, along with a model for piloting such a system in Delhi. It has also led large-scale research to strengthen the city’s Pollution Under Control (PUC) regime, including an assessment of test quality and malpractices, and a pilot exploring Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)-based PUCC enforcement at fuel stations. Together, these efforts have advanced the policy discourse on emissions management and enforcement reform at both city and national levels.
Accelerating Clean Mobility
The TRPU’s programmatic work extends beyond research. It provides strategic and technical support to the Delhi EV Cell, including inputs for Delhi’s forthcoming EV Policy 2.0, which builds on the city’s pioneering EV transition framework to set ambitious new goals for clean mobility. It has also assisted in implementing the Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator & Delivery Service Provider Scheme, 2023 — a first-of-its-kind regulation designed to accelerate electric vehicle adoption among ride-hailing and delivery fleets.
Engaging Citizens
Recognizing the importance of citizen engagement in shaping sustainable transport choices, the TRPU is supporting the establishment of a Communications Cell within the Transport Department, GNCTD. This initiative seeks to strengthen citizen participation through transparent and timely public communication — helping shape commuter behavior, promote shared and public transport, and foster broad-based awareness around Delhi’s transport reforms.
Scaling Impact
The TRPU’s success in Delhi is now serving as a blueprint for other Indian cities seeking to institutionalize clean mobility reforms. Its embedded model—anchored in research, data, and governance partnerships demonstrates how collaboration between government and evidence institutions can drive systems change at scale.
By translating lessons from Delhi into adaptable frameworks, the TRPU is working towards supporting other state and city governments to design and implement policies rooted in robust evidence and local context. At its core, the TRPU represents a shift from project-based interventions to institutionalized governance capacity creating long-term pathways for cleaner air, smarter transport, and resilient urban futures across India.