How Can Indian Mobility Startups Solve the Urban Mobility Crisis?

India’s urban landscape is rapidly transforming. As cities stretch their limits to accommodate a booming population, the question is no longer if mobility needs a revolution, but how soon it can happen. With 70% of India’s population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, the race is on to create smarter, cleaner, and more efficient ways for 1.4 billion people to move.

At Startup Mahakumbh 2025, a riveting panel discussion brought together voices from the frontlines of India’s mobility challenge. Their insights revealed both the immense scale of the problem and the sparks of innovation poised to solve it. From electric vehicles and shared mobility to drone technology and last-mile connectivity, the consensus was clear: India is ready for a mobility revolution—and startups will lead the charge.

Congestion: India's Urban Paradox

“Growth and congestion are siblings,” said Sharad Mohan Mishra of TVS Motor Company, succinctly capturing the troubling paradox of India’s urban growth. As the economy expands, cities are increasingly choking on the unintended consequences.

Despite a steady 7% rise in personal car sales, there’s a countercurrent taking shape. Public transport usage rose 12.8% over the past year, while shared mobility platforms like Ola, Uber, and Rapido have witnessed a 30% spike in demand. Yet, a crucial gap remains.

“The biggest issue is last-mile connectivity,” said Amit Jain, CEO and Co-Founder of CarDekho. “I don’t want to be stuck after reaching my last stop.”

His comment echoes a broader urban concern: without predictable, convenient ways to complete their journeys, commuters often default to private vehicles—fueling the very congestion they seek to avoid.

From Ownership to Access: A Generational Shift

Beneath these logistical challenges lies a cultural shift: a new generation that doesn’t aspire to own vehicles.

“The newer generation isn’t looking to own assets,” Jain noted, pointing to the surge in car subscriptions and short-term rentals.

This mindset is evident across the travel spectrum. Rikant Pittie, Co-Founder and CEO of EaseMyTrip, emphasized the growing preference for convenience and flexibility.

“The mindset must shift from ownership to access,” he said.

This shift is laying the foundation for a new approach to urban transportation—one that prioritizes accessibility, not assets.

Mobility as a Service (MaaS): Seamless Journeys Ahead

Welcome to the era of Mobility as a Service (MaaS)—where buses, trains, taxis, and bikes function not in isolation, but as a single coordinated system.

“People must start activating mobility as a service,” Pittie urged, envisioning a future where mobility is seamless and integrated.

But ambition alone isn’t enough. “Interoperability is key,” Mishra added. “Data integration across platforms is critical, and the government needs to play a role in enabling it.”

Electric Vehicles: The Downpour Has Begun

Mishra described India’s EV boom with poetic clarity: “The EV trend is like a downpour—it’s already here.”

EV adoption is accelerating, but the infrastructure—especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities—hasn’t kept pace. This gap presents a massive opportunity for startups to build the networks that will support India’s clean transport future.

The Next Stop: Smart, Sustainable Mobility

India’s urban mobility revolution isn’t a distant dream—it’s already in motion. But unlocking its full potential will require collaboration across startups, governments, and communities. The solutions—whether in tech, infrastructure, or mindset—are already emerging.

One thing is clear: the mobility of tomorrow won’t just be faster or cleaner—it will be smarter, shared, and startup-driven.