Help us shape a sustainable urban future for Northeast India

PURVCA Foundation

People for Urban Rejuvenation and Climate Action

Shaping Northeast India's Urban Future

We are dedicated to help develop climate-resilient, safer, accessible and sustainable urban habitats in North Eastern India.

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Samvad : Conversations for Sustainable Urban Futures in NE India

PURVCA Samvad brings together diverse stakeholders to discuss, debate, and co-create pathways for resilient and sustainable urban futures in the North Eastern Region of India.

7th November 2025, Friday at Guwahati, Assam

Know More

We are conducting a larger follow-up survey to understand City Bus usage patterns and preferences among residents of Guwahati. Even if you participated in our earlier survey, we encourage you to take this one as well.

The survey will take only 8–10 minutes to complete, and we sincerely appreciate your time.

This survey is ongoing. Click here to take the Survey

What we do

Research

It involves conducting thorough investigations, studies, and analysis to understand the root causes, dynamics, and implications of various urban issues. Research provides evidence-based insights that inform advocacy efforts and shape action plans.

Advocacy

It entails using research findings to influence policies, laws, and public opinion. We engage in advocacy to promote positive change, raise awareness, and mobilize support for their causes. This can involve lobbying policymakers, conducting public campaigns, and organizing events to amplify our message.

Action

It refers to the implementation of practical initiatives and projects aimed at addressing the identified issues. We undertake various activities such as community outreach, capacity-building programs, direct service provision, or collaborative projects with other stakeholders to tackle challenges on the ground.

Impact

We strive to achieve tangible and measurable outcomes that contribute to positive social change. Impact assessment involves evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, measuring progress toward stated goals, and assessing the long-term consequences of their actions on individuals, communities, and societies.

Our focus areas

Active Mobility

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Public Transportation

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Road Safety

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Climate Action

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OUR ACTIVITIES & INITIATIVES

Sustainable development goals in our focus

News and Views

Pedal for a Better Future: An Appeal for World Bicycle Day Top Stories | Watch Tower | Pollution, particularly from the automobile sector, contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate-related challenges.

Pedestrian and Cyclist Lives Matter: A Call for Safer Urban MobilityPedestrian and Cyclist Lives Matter: A Call for Safer Urban Mobility The Hidden Toll on Our Streets Every day, countless Indians choose to walk or cycle—whether to school, work, or the market. Yet, these simple, sustainable acts are fraught with danger. As per the 2022 Road Accidents in India Report 32,825 pedestrians and 4,836 cyclists were killed in out of 1,68,491 total fatalities on road accounting for nearly 20% pedestrians and 3% cyclists of all road fatalities . The recent accident involving Esow Alben, India's first World Championships medallist in cycling, underscores the peril. While training in Delhi, he was struck

Unequal City Streets: Reclaiming citizens’ rights to hold fitness and recreational events in GuwahatiUnequal City Streets: Reclaiming citizens’ rights to hold fitness and recreational events in Guwahati On April 9, 2025, the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Guwahati, issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, restricting all types of processions, rallies, marathons, walkathons, and similar events within Guwahati city limits. The reason cited was traffic congestion and potential delays to emergency services. An earlier notification released on February 10 had already banned all processions, under which cycle rallies and running events were also denied permission inside the city. The notification states that “Procession

Guwahati is fast axing its trees and undermining its future - Question of CitiesAmong Assam’s largest cities, Guwahati has turned into a huge construction site with a dwindling tree cover. The city lost 12 square kilometres of trees between 2001 and 2023 which is the size of London Heathrow airport while Assam’s forest loss in the past two decades is equal to losing two Delhis. The construction of roads, flyovers, and other projects has taken a heavy toll on trees. While people have come out to save them, the authorities are yet to realise that existing trees must be protected and new ones planted.

Deepor Beel needs 'development' but not at the cost of environmentDeepor Beel, a crucial wetland in Assam, has long been a sanctuary for biodiversity and an essential natural resource for the region. However, ongoing

Opinion | Rethinking Urban Mobility: Are Flyovers The Solution To Traffic Congestion?

What lessons can we learn from Guwahati’s Dighalipukhuri movement?Assam is a comparatively underdeveloped state in India, plagued by insurgency, illegal immigration, rising income inequality, and a lack of employment

Optimising Guwahati's Bus Transit SystemGuwahati deserves a better standard of urban transportation system, particularly a robust bus-based public transportation (BBPT) system.

Why are pedestrians not allowed to safely cross National Highway 27?The 18 km stretch of National Highway no 27, passing through the southern part of Guwahati, seems to have become an unsafe area. Many accidents, mostly

Why are flyovers still made? Blame the triad of society, govt and marketsIn the busy city streets, amid the noise of honking vehicles and the ceaseless flow of traffic, a familiar sight emerges – the construction of yet another

Opinion: Sorry, but flyovers will never ease Guwahati's traffic woesOn January 1, 2024, the Assam Government unveiled an ambitious plan featuring 8 Iconic Ticket Projects set to be launched in 2024. These projects, which

₹1.88 Crore Wasted In Name Of Cycle TrackStretching to a length of 1.5 km, connecting Dakhingaon and Sawkuchi, the track is not used by the public efficiently.

Pedal for a Change calls for sustainable transport amid rising congestion in GuwahatiAs the city of Guwahati have been facing issues related to pollution and traffic congestion which has ben impacting the livelihood and health of every citizen, Assam-based organisation Pedal for a Change called for an action needed for sustainable urban transport

Does Guwahati need another flyover? Not reallyThere are almost no studies that cover the impact of a flyover on traffic over the former’s lifespan.

What will it take to build a congestion-free Guwahati?Out of the 50 lakh automobiles registered in Assam, 12 lakh alone are registered in Kamrup Metro DTO, giving Guwahati and its surrounding area a 25% share.

Will flyovers end Guwahati’s traffic jams? Experts say no | Guwahati News - Times of IndiaThere are 10 flyovers in Guwahati currently and two more will be coming up soon at Supermarket and Maligaon in the city. But, will it be a solution fo

CYCLING SCENE IN ASSAMThe story of cycling in Assam goes back more than a century ago when Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phukan brought and rode the first cycle in Assam…

Need and importance of Car Free Day(s)We need to celebrate more Car Free days during the year to understand how livable, cleaner, safer, accessible, and better our cities can…

Vehicular Emissions And Its Role In Driving Global Climate ChangeTraffic congestion increases vehicle emissions and degrades ambient air quality.

E-Bicycles are here to stay: Here's whySeptember 9 is celebrated as World Electric Vehicle (EV) Day since 2020. It is a global movement, driving change, together. It is a day of celebration of

Pedal Power: Meet 4 Guwahati women promoting cyclingCycling has proven to be the most efficient and sustainable mode of transport for short-distance urban mobility but its potential is either not accepted,

Pedal Power: Meet four more Guwahati women promoting cyclingThe American civil rights leader, Susan B Anthony, wrote in 1896: "I think has done more to emancipate women than any one thing in the world. I

Pedal Power: Meet 4 Guwahati women promoting cycling - Part 3The women of Assam and the North-East have been pathbreakers in India when it comes to bicycling as a means of daily commuting. Rather than being

PEDALING FOR CHANGE - Pedal And Tring TringArshel Akhter, a 40 years old cyclist from Assam in Guwahati shares his fascinating story and how life has taken a different turn post becoming a Bicycle Mayor. I got back into cycling in 2016 and took it up as a fitness, leisure, adventure and exploring activity. I also love to commute within the city […]

Pedalling for A Change - East India Story - Pedalling for A ChangeTale of a Guwahati-based cyclist’s endeavour to turn this eco-friendly mode of transport more accessible, acceptable and aspirational for all

On World Bicycle Day, let’s pledge to cycle to a healthy lifestyleJune 3 is being celebrated as World Bicycle Day. The first two-wheeled non-motorized vehicle was invented 200 years ago and it was during the 1860’s that its design evolved to something similar that we call a bicycle. The bicycle, even though non-motorized and seemingly a slow moving vehicle, is

Interview: Pushing the Pedal for Change, Meet Guwahati's 'Bicycle Mayor'Pedalling towards a better future

Guwahati: Plans of a newly-minted ‘Bicycle Mayor’What does a “Bicycle Mayor” do? What is a “Bicycle Mayor”? In Guwahati, a 39-year-old cyclist assumes this weighty title as he pushes the pedal on going back to a greener commute.

Meet Arshel Akhter – Bicycle Mayor of GuwahatiArshel Akhter, an avid cyclist based in the city, has been appointed the ‘Bicycle Mayor’ of Guwahati by BYCS (pronounced as ‘bikes’), an NGO based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the cycling capital of the world.

Climate Clock

The Climate Clock is a graphic to demonstrate how quickly the planet is approaching 1.5 °C of global warming, given current emissions trends. It also shows the amount of CO2 already emitted, and the global warming to date. The climate clock shown below is courtesy of https://climateclock.net/