Traffic and congestion on Delhi roads are a frequent problem for daily commuters.
Overcrowded metros are adding to the chaos in Delhi.
A UN survey predicts that Delhi will become the world's largest agglomeration by 2028.
Metro trains are the most popular mode of public transport for Delhi residents.
The Delhi metro, operational since December 2002, is facing the challenge of overcrowding, particularly during peak hours.
The metro network covers Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) and transports over 20 lakh passengers daily.
Tackle overcrowding in Metro
The Delhi Metro is experiencing an increasing number of passengers, leading to limited space during peak hours.
Solutions to address this issue include re-designing metro spaces by incorporating folding seats, double-decker metros, and wider standing areas.
Israel Railways has implemented standing carriages and removed regular seats and tables to alleviate overcrowding.
Delhi can consider adopting similar, though less extravagant, solutions to tackle congestion in morning peak-hour trains.
The Tokyo Metro, known as the fastest subway system globally, made news by offering free food coupons to commuters who use pre-peak hour trains for 10 consecutive days.
The Tozai line of the Tokyo Metro, connecting the city's business hub to the suburb of Chiba, had a congestion rate of 199% before the scheme, where 100% indicates no free seats and 200% represents significant pressure due to physical contact between passengers.
Solution for Delhi
The implementation of appropriate policies and public investments can attract significant private investment in the transportation sector and facilitate the development of new solutions.
Private sector involvement can contribute to modernizing trains, expanding and enhancing existing networks, and upgrading signaling systems and rolling stock.
The issue of last-mile connectivity in Delhi's public transportation system is often overlooked but requires attention.
Despite the presence of around 18 multi-level parking facilities in Delhi, most of them remain underutilized.
For example, the automated underground parking facility at Kamla Nagar, constructed in 2013, is largely empty during peak business hours.
Utilizing these public parking spaces more effectively would discourage on-road parking and reduce traffic congestion.
Metro stations already offer parking spaces to bridge the gap between people's residences and the nearest metro station.
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