New Delhi, June 2 -- Chandrama Prasad, a migrant labourer in an auto parts manufacturing unit in Ludhiana, has been cycling to work for the past 18 years. Since 2007, his daily commute includes a distance of about a couple of kilometres, which ideally should take no more than 20 minutes.

But Chandrama spends around 40-45 minutes during morning hours and nearly an hour returning home during peak evening hours.

"The traffic is unimaginable. With no dedicated cycling tracks, it takes a lot of time to navigate through big vehicles, two-wheeler traffic, and congestion to ensure a safe journey to work and back. It also becomes more exhausting because of the traffic," the 41-year-old told Down To Earth.

In Ludhiana, there are about 1.24 lak...