# India national commuting and mobility trends

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/india-national-commuting-and-mobility-trends
> Updated: 2026-10-10T08:18:09.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

The National Statistics Office (NSO) conducted the inaugural National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) between July 2025 and June 2026, revealing significant trends in Indian commuting patterns. The data indicates a heavy reliance on private and non-motorized transport, with two-wheelers accounting for approximately 43 percent of workplace journeys and walking used by 28.3 percent of the population. In contrast, public transport usage remains low at 15 percent, while rail-based services like metros account for only 2.1 percent nationally.

The survey highlights a substantial gender divide in mobility. While 61.9 percent of male workers commute daily, only 41.9 percent of female workers do. Specifically, 62 percent of working men travel more than 1 km to their workplace, compared to 42 percent of working women.

These findings have led to concerns regarding “spatial entrapment,” a phenomenon where workers may be restricted to local employment due to the costs, safety concerns, or difficulties associated with longer commutes.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-10: India workforce mobility shows significant gender commute gap

A National Statistics Office survey reveals a 20% gender gap in Indian commuting distances, with men traveling further for work than women, highlighting potential barriers to job access.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-workforce-mobility-shows-significant-gender-commute-gap

### 2026-10-05: India commuting survey shows low public transit use

India's first National Household Travel Survey shows only 15% of workers use public transit, with two-wheelers dominating commutes and a significant gender divide in mobility and spending.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-commuting-survey-shows-low-public-transit-use

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Cite as: India national commuting and mobility trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/india-national-commuting-and-mobility-trends