Role of Decentralized Governance In Promoting Urban Clean Mobility: Case Studies From Guwahati and Shillong

Abstract

Urban centers in Northeast India are increasingly grappling with mobility challenges exacerbated by rapid urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, and environmental degradation. Promoting clean mobility in such regions necessitates not only technological interventions but also robust governance frameworks. This study investigates the role of decentralized governance in facilitating sustainable urban mobility through comparative case studies of Guwahati and Shillong—two major cities in Northeast India with distinct administrative structures and development trajectories. The paper employs a qualitative case study methodology, incorporating primary data through semi-structured interviews with municipal officials, transport planners, and civil society actors, alongside secondary data from policy documents and urban mobility reports. Findings indicate that decentralized governance, when effectively implemented, enhances responsiveness to local mobility needs and fosters community participation in planning and implementation. In Guwahati, the municipal corporation's collaboration with the state transport department has enabled the partial electrification of public buses, though bureaucratic overlaps hinder scaling efforts. Conversely, Shillong exhibits a more fragmented governance structure, where limited autonomy of urban local bodies impedes strategic planning, yet community-led initiatives in non-motorized transport have shown promise. The study highlights the critical role of empowered local institutions, inter-agency coordination, and participatory planning in promoting clean mobility. It recommends capacity-building of urban local bodies, decentralization of financial authority, and integration of community voices in transport policymaking. By spotlighting governance dynamics in under-researched regions, this paper contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable urban transport and offers policy insights for cleaner, more inclusive mobility in India’s emerging urban landscapes.