Mass transit to cure Delhi's traffic woes

Metro network of almost 190 km, 3,775 new buses and more than 5,000 radio taxis. Public transport in the Capital has never been better. Atul Mathur reports.

Metro network of almost 190 km, 3,775 new buses and more than 5,000 radio taxis. Public transport in the Capital has never been better.

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But Delhi roads leave a lot to desire. Long serpentine queues and traffic snarls on all arterial roads are a common sight. Despite crowded roads, long travel time and parking woes, an ordinary Delhiite still prefers his vehicle to go to work.

Despite spending more than R16,000 crore on the Metro and R900 crore on new buses, the Delhi government is yet to find a way to get more people to use public transport.

The number of vehicles being registered daily in Delhi continues to swell while Delhi's road network continues to shrink compared to the vehicles.

Experts say, the govt must strengthen mass transit system to get people to shift from private vehicles to public transport. "(But) by constructing new flyovers, Delhi is inviting more people to travel by their own vehicles," said P.K. Sarkar, faculty, department of transport planning, School of Planning and Architecture.

He said the mass transit system should be strengthened by increasing metro network to more than 400-kilometre.

Experts said the government should develop an integrated metro, light rail and bus system. To advise motorists on traffic snarls and routes, experts also advise dedicated FM radio channel and messaging system.