CRITICAL ISSUES IN THE INDIAN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

(1853 words) Indias transport sector is large and diverse; it caters to the needs of 1.1 billion people. In 2007, the sector contributed about 5.5 percent to the nations GDP, with road transportation contributing the lions share. Good physical connectivity in the urban and rural areas is essential for economic growth. Since the early 1990s, India's growing economy has witnessed a rise in demand for transport infrastructure and services. However, the sector has not been able to keep pace with rising demand and is proving to be a drag on the economy. Especially in a heavily populated country such as India, managing different aspects of transportation is a difficult task. Major improvements in the sector are therefore required to support the country's continued economic growth and to reduce poverty. Traffic Safety The most important problem concerning highway/transportation professionals in India is that of highway safety. Ministry of Transport figures show that approximately 60,000 people died in road accidents in 1992. The fatality rates are high in many cities in the subcontinent. India has the dubious distinction of accounting for 6% of the world's road deaths while having just 1% of the world's vehicles. Environmental protection There is also a growing concern over the high degree of air pollution in Indian cities. It is evident that most pollution is caused by motor vehicles. The present lead content in gasoline is 0.54 g/L. The government is attempting to lower the lead content to 0.15 g/L, which is nowhere near the world average lead content of 0.013 g/L. 1. System level impacts: a. Air quality b. Energy consumption c. Land use 2. Site specific impacts a. Displacement of residents and businesses b. Noise c. Impact on wildlife

d. Impact on water quality Traffic Congestion Traffic congestion is a condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queuing. The most common example is the physical use of roads by vehicles. When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction between vehicles slows the speed of the traffic stream, congestion is incurred. As demand approaches the capacity of a road (or of the intersections along the road), extreme traffic congestion sets in. When vehicles are fully stopped for periods of time, this is colloquially known as a traffic jam. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of registered vehicles from 1951 to 2004 is 10.9% but the CAGR of total road length is only 3.6% Traffic congestion has a number of negative effects:

Wasting time of motorists and passengers (opportunity cost). As a non-productive activity for most people, congestion reduces regional economic health. Delays, which may result in late arrival for employment, meetings, and education, resulting in lost business, disciplinary action or other personal losses. Inability to forecast travel time accurately, leading to drivers allocating more time to travel "just in case", and less time on productive activities. Wasted fuel increasing air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions owing to increased idling, acceleration and braking. Increased fuel use may also in theory cause a rise in fuel costs. Wear and tear on vehicles as a result of idling in traffic and frequent acceleration and braking, leading to more frequent repairs and replacements. Stressed and frustrated motorists, encouraging road rage and reduced health of motorists Emergencies: blocked traffic may interfere with the passage of emergency vehicles traveling to their destinations where they are urgently needed. Spillover effect from congested main arteries to secondary roads and side streets as alternative routes are attempted ('rat running'), which may affect neighborhood amenity and real estate prices.

Causes: 1. Poor public transportation 2. Extremely high travel density during peak hours 3. Inadequate traffic management India has more truly congested cities than any other nation, which is not surprising, since it is also the world's second-most populous country, after China. Vehicles in India are distributed somewhat unevenly. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore have 5% of India's population14 but 14% of its registered vehicles.15 Traffic is growing four times faster than the population in six cities: Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. Indeed, Delhi is now said to have as many cars as Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai combined.

Traffic is well known for moving at the pace of its slowest component. Most countries have automobiles, buses, trucks, trains, motorcycles, motor scooters and bicycles. But in India, in addition to this routine urban transportation, and contributing substantially to the congestion, are networks of auto-rickshaws and two-wheelers, as well as bullock carts and hand-pulled rickshaws (disappearing from some urban areas). There has been a staggering 100 fold increase in the population of motorized vehicles; however, the expansion in the road network has not been commensurate with this increase. While the motor vehicle population has grown from 0.3 million in 1951 to over 30 million in 2004, the road network has expanded from 0.4 million km to 3.32 million km, only a 8 fold increase in terms of length during the same period.16 However, upgrading of roads by way of widening of carriage- ways, improved surface quality, strengthening/ reconstruction of old/ weak bridges and culverts, etc. has been carried out. The growing trend toward private transportation increases congestion. The way to avoid congestion is to travel by mass transport or railways. India has the third largest rail system in the world after the United States and the former Soviet Union. Ports are congested and inefficient. Port traffic has more than doubled during the 1990s, touching 650 million tonnes in 2006-07. This is expected to grow further to about 900 million tonnes by 2011-12. India's ports need to significantly ramp up their capacity and efficiency to meet this surging demand. Airport infrastructure is strained. Air traffic has been growing rapidly leading to severe strain on infrastructure at major airports, especially in the Delhi and Mumbai airports which account for more than 40 percent of nations air traffic. Equality of Access India has more truly congested cities than any other nation, which is not surprising, since it is also the world's second-most populous country, after China. Vehicles in India are distributed somewhat unevenly. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore have 5% of India's population14 but 14% of its registered vehicles.15 Traffic is growing four times faster than the population in six cities: Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. Indeed, Delhi is now said to have as many cars as Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai combined. Traffic is well known for moving at the pace of its slowest component. Most countries have automobiles, buses, trucks, trains, motorcycles, motor scooters and bicycles. But in India, in addition to this routine urban transportation, and contributing substantially to the congestion, are networks of auto-rickshaws and two-wheelers, as well as bullock carts and hand-pulled rickshaws (disappearing from some urban areas). There has been a staggering 100 fold increase in the population of motorized vehicles; however, the expansion in the road network has not been commensurate with this increase. While the motor vehicle population has grown from 0.3 million in 1951 to over 30 million in 2004, the road network has expanded from 0.4 million km to 3.32 million km, only a 8 fold increase in terms of length during the same period.16 However, upgrading of roads by way of widening of carriage- ways, improved surface quality, strengthening/ reconstruction of old/ weak bridges and culverts, etc. has been carried out. New Technology

Despite the efforts of the government, the numbers of accidents and fatalities are increasing year by year, and the environment is becoming more polluted without any strict environmental regulations. Roads are getting congested because more vehicles travel on them. India's government should pass legislation to control vehicles on roads and enforce tougher environmental regulations. With the majority of World Bank funds allocated toward transportation and highways, the government should adopt the latest technology and introduce mass rapid transit to reduce congestion and accidents on roads. - Introduction of rail roads and airplanes had revolutionary impacts on transportation systems. - New types of physical facilities control system and institutional systems had to be created to accommodate technological innovations. In recent years, considerable progress has been made towards various ITs, ATMS, ATIS, and AVCS. Other issues include: 1. Low funding by the government towards transportation management and development 2. A highly complex Institutional Arrangement where too many organisations and individuals are involved in the same process, hence complicating matters. And 3. Un-foreseen Emergencies like natural disasters which cause havoc in all levels of the system. Key Government Strategies to overcome the above mentioned issues Indias Eleventh Five Year Plan identifies various deficits in transport sector which include inadequate roads/highways, old technology, saturated routes and slow speed on railways, inadequate berths and rail/road connectivity at ports and inadequate runways, aircraft handling capacity, parking space and terminal building at airports. Government aims to modernize, expand, and integrate the country's transport services. It also seeks to mobilize resources for this purpose and to gradually shift the role of government from that of a producer to an enabler. In recent years, the Government has made substantial efforts to tackle the sectors shortcomings and to reform its transport institutions. These include: Increasing public funding for transportation in its Five Year Plans. Launching the ambitious National Highway Development Program which has seven phases and is expected to be completed by 2012. It includes improved connectivity between Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, popularly called the Golden Quadrilateral, in the first phase, North- South and East- West corridors in phase two, four laning of more than 12,000 km in phase three, two laning of 20,000km and six laning of 6,500 km respectively in phase four and five, development of 1,000km of expressway in phase six and other important highway projects in phase seven. Total expected investment is INR 2.2 trillion. Accelerated Road Development Program for the North East Region to provide road connectivity to all State capitals and district headquarters in the North East region. Financing the development and maintenance of roads by creating a Central Road Fund (CRF) through an earmarked tax on diesel and petrol. Operationalising the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to act as an

infrastructure procurer and not just provider. Improving rural access by launching the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (Prime Ministers Rural Roads Program). Reducing the congestion on rail corridors along the highly trafficked Golden Quadrilateral and improving port connectivity by launching the National Rail Vikas Yojana (National Railway Development Program) The development of two Dedicated Freight Corridors from Mumbai to Delhi and Ludhiana to Dankuni. Improving urban transport under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). Upgrading infrastructure and connectivity in the country's twelve major ports by initiating the National Maritime Development Program (NMDP). Privatization and expansion of the Mumbai and New Delhi Airports and development of new international airports at Hyderabad and Bangalore. Enhancing sector capacity and improving efficiencies through clear policy directive for greater private sector participation. Large parts of the NHDP and NMDP are to be executed through public private partnerships (PPP).

-The End-