Plain Facts | India's public transport crisis

Summary

India's rapid urbanization has led to traffic congestion, prompting the expansion of metro rail networks across 13 cities. Despite significant investments, metro accessibility remains limited, with over half of Delhi's population beyond a kilometer from stations. Other cities like Hyderabad and Kolkata also face similar challenges. The efficiency of metro investments is debated, with ridership issues and financial constraints hindering large-scale expansions. The focus on metros has overshadowed the potential of suburban rail and buses, which could offer cost-effective public transit solutions for urban India.

Takeaways

• 🚇 India has seen rapid growth in metro rail with 630 kilometers built in 13 cities.
• 🌆 Despite the expansion, many city residents still live beyond a kilometer from any metro station.
• 🚗 The lack of public transit options has led to an increase in private vehicle usage, exacerbating congestion.
• 💸 Financial constraints and government guidelines are limiting the expansion of large metro networks.
• 🚍 Bus ridership has stagnated or declined, with operators struggling to increase fleet size.
• 🚄 Metro rail networks may not be as efficient as suburban rail and buses in terms of ridership and cost.
• 🌐 The Delhi Metro, despite significant investment, still serves less than half of the city's population.
• 📉 Other cities like Hyderabad and Kolkata have even lower proximity of residents to metro stations.
• 🚅 Shenzhen's metro network in China carries twice as many people per kilometer compared to Delhi's.
• 💼 The Indian government is encouraging private participation in metro projects, which some cities find burdensome.
• 🌿 A focus on a broader range of public transit systems, including suburban rail and buses, could provide more equitable access.

Q & A

How many kilometers of Metro Rail have been built in India in the last twenty years?

In the last twenty years, 630 kilometers of Metro Rail have been built in India.

In how many cities has the Metro Rail been constructed?

Metro Rail has been constructed in 13 cities in India.

What is the main issue faced by Indian cities that has led to the expansion of Metro Rail networks?

The main issue faced by Indian cities is the severe congestion crisis due to an increase in private vehicles as public transit options haven't kept up with the growing population.

How much funding did Delhi receive to build its Metro Rail network?

Delhi received about 70,000 crore rupees in central assistance and low-interest foreign funding to build its Metro Rail network.

What percentage of Delhi's population remains beyond a kilometer radius from any metro station?

More than half of Delhi's population still remains beyond a kilometer radius from any metro station.

What is the current ridership issue faced by most Metro Rail networks in India?

Most Metro Rail networks in India are struggling with underutilization and low ridership numbers.

How does the ridership of Delhi Metro compare to Shenzhen Metro in China?

Shenzhen carried approximately twice the number of people per kilometer than Delhi in 2017-18.

What guidelines were released by the Union Government in 2017 affecting Metro projects?

The 2017 guidelines released by the Union Government insist on private sector participation in Metro projects.

Why have investments in suburban rail networks not been a priority in India?

Investments in suburban rail networks have not been a priority because even the busiest networks, like Mumbai's local trains, did not make profits for the railways.

What is one way to boost profits for suburban rail networks?

One way to boost profits for suburban rail networks would be to raise rail fares.

What alternative public transit systems are suggested to be more sustainable and cost-effective than Metro Rail?

Buses and suburban rail are suggested as more sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to Metro Rail as they have the potential to deliver high-quality frequent service at lower costs.