Delhi is one of the most populated cities not only in terms of human population, but also in terms of vehicular traffic. As per the first phase of the latest census , the population of Delhi has reached around 2.3 crore. According to the economic survey report, around 87.6 lakh vehicles are on the roads in Delhi.
The number is mind-boggling and reflects the traffic we encounter every day on the roads. I wonder what the scenario would be if the Delhi Metro didn’t exist. I interacted with some friends about travelling on the Delhi Metro. There are varied opinions on this. Those coming from long distances prefer it. But those within 5 to 10 kms don’t prefer the metro if they have an alternate mode of transport. The primary reason was the extreme climate of Delhi, whether it is rain, summer, or winter, and the secondary reason was the heavy rush during peak hours and the lack of point-to-point connectivity.
I have travelled to cities like London, New York, Paris and Milan. All these cities are heavily populated and busy. Their metro/trains are also very busy in peak hours and packed. The only thing that differentiates Delhi from these cities is the patience and civic sense of the crowd. Abroad, no one breaks the queue. Despite being in a hurry, the women and children are given priority. There is a habit of walking amongst the masses. But in Delhi, everyone is in a hurry, yet no one reaches on time!
This is a generation which is mindful of recording fitness data every day. Ten thousand steps is becoming a routine for everyone. Poor point-to-point connectivity is not the main reason which is dissuading people from public transport. The reasons for avoiding public transport are different. The pavements have been encroached upon; sometimes the two-wheelers jump onto the footpath to bypass the traffic jams, and in some places there are no footpaths. It is the lack of sufficient space to walk on the road, continuous high-pressure honking and the air pollution that dissuade commuters. The buses do not use mats to cover their rear wheels, which leads to a lot of air pollution.
We need to learn to be a little more patient and show better civic sense in public places. Let’s make public transport a beautiful experience for others who board it. Let’s consider government property as our joint family property and take good care of our national resources. Let’s make this humble initiative together and become a role model for public transportation in the world.
