Delhi as the City with Most Sustainable Transport System

A sustainable city has a broad meaning. A city that can furnish the needs of its population by maintaining health, amenities, medical care, education, transportation, employment, and so on. The increasing air pollution, the congregation of the human population, decreasing greenery, etc., are many factors against a sustainable city. Though a city may have ample job opportunities and education opportunities, if it’s not sustainable at all, then that’s a big problem. A city should take care of the health of its people.

The Transport System of Delhi 

Delhi has a remarkable transport infrastructure. The city developed a highly worthwhile public transport system. The Delhi metro is one the parts of that worthwhile sustainable transport system. It is always going under rapid modernization. There are at least 16.6 million registered vehicles in Delhi as per the 2014 transport database. Out of it, NCR Delhi has 11.2 million vehicles. Delhi loses at least 42 crore man-hours every month while going back from home and office. Due to traffic congestion, several transport projects are always underway. Before 1947, the public sustainable transport system was in the hands of private people or companies. People used to rely on Tongas, Gwalior Transport Company, Northern India Transport Company. Later due to increasing demand, Delhi Transport Corporation was established. Public transport in Delhi includes Delhi Metro, Delhi Transport Corporation Bus system, Cycle Rickshaws, Auto-Rickshaw, etc. Also, there are many interstate transport systems. Indira Gandhi International Airport is also present to open its doors abroad. With the growing economy and population, the transport demand has increased. This concerns safe travel and increasing levels of pollution and congestion. Delhi’s transport system is not sustainable. Delhi is the place where you need to move quickly because of economic development. In this current situation, the idea of sustainable transport is impossible to achieve.

Is Delhi a sustainable city?

Delhi is facing issues of air pollution, congested overpopulation, travelling hassles, traffic issues, and so on. In Delhi, there is a lack of green spaces. A strong, healthy city must have a greener environment for the sake of its people. Delhi has ample employment opportunities and a strong economy. But with the increasing population, the circumstantial overview is not good for health. Delhi must emphasise population control as it is on the list of the most populated cities in the world. As you all know, there is a large slum area in Delhi. Who is surviving on minimum wages and environmental problems? The slum area is not unhygienic for some reasons. The overpopulation, lack of proper water, and congestion made it very hard for a living. So in many aspects, Delhi is not sustainable as it seems.

The population of Delhi increases by 400,000 people every year because of migration. The rate of population is putting a big burden on the goal of reaching sustainable development. This alarming rate has its impact on transport, education, food, employment, etc. And simultaneously, green areas are converted into housing colonies, which is leading the city towards major environmental issues, as you all know. Bus, private cars, scooters, and bikes are responsible for 70% of total pollution. 

The Environmental Challenge of the Capital City 

Last year, Delhi obtained the title of the world’s most polluted city. Regular burning of agricultural waste in the neighbouring state of Punjab is the reason behind it. Also, the increasing vehicles and population is another reason. Do you all know how Delhi is good for employment opportunities? Delhi is the best place for every opportunity seeker. This is another reason for its environmental downfall. This is not the first time Delhi has been known for its pollution. The transport system of Delhi is not sustainable. The increasing population is affecting the atmosphere of Delhi. In the 1990s and 2000s, industrial hazards and gas emissions from vehicles darkened the clouds of Delhi. In 2002, the entire transport system shifted to CNG due to this reason. So now, most of the public transport is running under the CNG fuel system. Delhi is the fourth largest metropolitan in the world. A sustainable transport system is very much required due to recent cases. You must hear about the recent crisis regarding pollution. The pollution was such that people were unable to breathe. The situation became very dangerous when thousands of people were hospitalised with breathing difficulties and lung infection. It’s a very unfortunate event for humans. And also, with the entry of Covid-19, the situation became worse and worse. 

Conclusion

Delhi pollution is the reason for Increasing transport demands, Industrial needs, power plants, and domestic needs. Delhi Government plans for a pollution-free transport system and is trying to fight away the problem. Efforts to improve inter-modality have been made. There are lots of precautions taken to relax the buying capacity of private cars. The situation worsened with the emergence of Covid-19. People affected with Covid-19 are already affected with lung problems. Hope this blog will help you to understand the effects of transport emissions.