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Context

India aims to become a developed nation by 2047. By the 2060s, more than 60% of the population is predicted to live in cities, making urban India the development engine.

Key Challenges in Urban Transit in India

Insufficient Public Transport Coverage

Stat: Only 37% of urban residents have easy access to public transport.
Comparison: Countries like Brazil and China have coverage levels over 50%.
Example: Many Tier-2 cities in India still lack reliable metro or bus services.

Shortage of Urban Buses

Requirement: India needs about 2,00,000 urban buses.
Current Availability: Only 35,000 buses, including electric buses.
Example: Overcrowding in buses during peak hours in cities like Delhi and Bengaluru reflects the shortage.

Poor Last-Mile Connectivity

Issue: Even where metros exist, reaching final destinations remains difficult and expensive.
Impact: Reduces usage of otherwise efficient metro systems.
Example: Mumbai metro users often depend on costly auto-rickshaws to reach offices or homes.

High Cost and Low Returns from Metro Projects

Problem: Metros are capital-intensive and slow to construct.
Outcome: Low ridership leads to poor cost recovery.
Example: Jaipur Metro’s multiple phases remain underutilized due to insufficient footfall.

Limited Government Subsidies & Private Investment

Constraint: India cannot sustain large recurring subsidies like developed countries.
Investor Concern: Low returns and high risk deter private players.
Example: E-bus projects in Pune face funding delays and maintenance issues.

Different Urban Pressures

Infrastructure Pressure	Large-scale rural-to-urban migration puts immense pressure on urban infrastructure, especially public transport systems.
Role of Urban Transport	Efficient, inclusive, and sustainable mobility systems are critical to managing urban shifts and boosting productivity in urban centres.
Smart Cities Vision	Smart cities were envisioned to reduce commute times by integrating residential and work spaces.
Implementation Gap	Most new smart cities remain non-functional and have not progressed like China’s well-executed planned urban models.
Uncontrolled Urban Expansion	Existing metros and tier-1 cities are expanding rapidly, leading to increased pressure on urban infrastructure.
Consequences of Poor Planning	Rapid, unplanned growth results in traffic congestion, inadequate public transport, and poor last-mile connectivity.

Steps taken by the Government

PM e-Bus Sewa: Payment Security Mechanism Plans to induct roughly 10,000 urban buses.
PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (e-Drive): Proposed procurement of 14,000 e-buses, 1,10,000 electric rickshaws, lorries, and ambulances.
Rising Metropolitan Investments: The Budget also raised expenditures for metro rail development in Tier 1 cities, in line with measures to address high urban density and reduce congestion.

Source: The Hindu

Practice Question:

Q. Which of the following statements regarding urban transport challenges in India is/are correct?

India currently has sufficient urban buses to meet the demand in metropolitan areas.
Last-mile connectivity remains a major bottleneck in encouraging public transport usage in Indian cities.
Metro rail projects in India have consistently achieved high ridership and cost recovery.
The Smart Cities Mission was aimed, among other goals, at reducing the need for long daily commutes.

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer:

(b) 2 and 4 only

Explanation:

Statement 1: Incorrect – India has a significant shortage of urban buses. Only around 35,000 are available, whereas the estimated need is around 2,00,000.
Statement 2: Correct – Poor last-mile connectivity hampers effective use of public transport.
Statement 3: Incorrect – Metro projects in India often face low ridership and financial sustainability issues.
Statement 4: Correct – Smart Cities Mission aimed to integrate work and living spaces, thus minimizing long commutes.