06 Jan Enhancing Public Transport: Metros Fueling Urbanization and Economic Growth
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs,” and the topic details related to Enhancing Public Transport: Metros Fueling Urbanization and Economic Growth
Syllabus mapping:
GS-1: Indian society: Urbanization in India.
For Prelims:
What are the key statistics related to the metro network in India? Driverless metro, Water metro, etc.
For Mains:
What is the role of the metro network in fueling urbanization and economic growth, what challenges are associated with metro transport, and what ways to make it more efficient for future needs?
Why in the news?
On January 5, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched metro development projects worth over ₹12,200 crore in Delhi. Key highlights include the inauguration of a 13 km stretch of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor to ease travel, a 2.8 km section of Delhi Metro Phase-IV benefiting West Delhi, and the foundation of the 26.5 km Rithala-Kundli section to strengthen Delhi-Haryana connectivity.
Metro Systems in India: Key Statistics
Operational Network: Covers over 1,000 km across 11 states and 23 cities.
Passenger Impact: Serves over 1 crore passengers daily.
Global Ranking: India has the 3rd largest operational metro network in the world (as of 2022). Surpassed Japan in metro rail projects in 2022, on track to become the 2nd largest metro network globally.
Historical Milestones:
1984: Kolkata Metro launched India’s first metro line (3.4 km).
1995: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was established.
2002: DMRC opened its first corridor (Shahdara to Tis Hazari).
2011: Namma Metro (Bengaluru) began operations.
2017: Chennai Metro inaugurated its first underground section (Green Line).
2020: Phase 1 of Kochi Metro completed (Thykoodam-Petta stretch).
Advancements in Metro Systems in India
Under-Water Metro: Inaugurated in 2024, India’s first underwater metro tunnel in Kolkata runs beneath the Hooghly River (Esplanade-Howrah Maidan section), showcasing remarkable engineering achievements.
Driverless Metro: Launched on December 28, 2020, on Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line, this innovation marked India’s entry into fully automated metro operations, setting new standards in urban mobility.
Kochi Water Metro: Introduced in December 2021, Kerala’s Kochi became the first city in India to operate a water metro, connecting 10 islands with electric hybrid boats for eco-friendly and seamless transportation.
Metro Neo Project: A cost-effective and international-standard metro system, set to debut in Nashik, Maharashtra, under Maha Metro. This innovative initiative offers an affordable alternative for smaller cities.
Approval of New Metro Rail Projects: Expansion plans for metro networks in Bengaluru (44 km), Chennai, and Pune (5.5 km) to enhance urban connectivity and reduce traffic congestion in key cities.
Integrated Mobility Solutions: Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) are being developed for real-time updates, traffic management, and seamless integration of metro, buses, and last-mile connectivity via smart digital platforms.
Importance of Metro Rail Systems in Cities
Reduce Pollution: Metro systems emit 60-70% less CO₂ per passenger-kilometer compared to private vehicles (CSE). Delhi Metro saves 2.5 lakh tons of CO₂ emissions annually (UNFCCC).
Improve Transportation: Delhi Metro carries over 60 lakh passengers daily (DMRC, 2023), with commuters saving an average of 45 minutes per trip due to reduced traffic (Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, 2022).
Promote Economic Growth: The World Bank estimates every $1 billion invested in metro systems creates 50,000-100,000 jobs. Metro connectivity has boosted commercial activity by 30% in hubs like Gurugram and Noida.
Improve Property Values: Properties within 500 meters of metro stations see a 20-25% value increase (Knight Frank India). Mumbai’s Metro Line 1 raised real estate prices by 10-20% in 3 years.
Be Affordable: Metro fares are 50-60% cheaper than private vehicle commuting. Delhi Metro offers passes reducing per-trip costs to ₹10-15 (DMRC, 2023).
Enhance Urban Mobility: India’s metro network spans 1,000 km across 20 cities (Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, 2023). Kolkata’s metro expansion reduced travel time by 20% (World Bank, 2022).
Reduce Road Accidents: Cities with metro systems report a 25% reduction in road accidents (NCRB). Chennai Metro’s adoption reduced traffic by 15-20%, enhancing road safety (Chennai Metro, 2023).
Support Sustainable Urbanization: India ranks 3rd globally in metro infrastructure expansion (UITP), aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 11 for sustainable urban growth.
Issues with the Metro Rail Network in India
High Initial Cost and Financial Viability: Metro systems require large investments, with projects like Mumbai’s Metro Line 5 costing ₹8,416 crore.
Low Ridership and Underutilization: Many metro systems operate below 50% of their projected ridership. For instance, Delhi Metro’s daily ridership of 60 lakh is much lower than the 80 lakh forecasted.
Poor Planning and Technical Challenges: Delays in metro projects are common, with cities like Chennai and Kolkata facing missed timelines. Technical issues, such as system failures in Chennai Metro, exacerbate operational disruptions.
Impact on Existing Road Infrastructure: Metro construction often disrupts road networks, leading to traffic congestion. For example, Delhi Metro Phase-IV caused significant delays, affecting commuters reliant on road transport.
Limited Focus on Smaller Cities: As of 2023, India has 986 km of metro rail under construction in major cities, neglecting urban mobility needs in smaller areas.
Safety and Public Awareness Concerns: While metro systems reduce road accidents by 25%, safety concerns persist, particularly for women.
Cost Variations and Land Acquisition Issues: Metro costs vary significantly due to land acquisition challenges. For example, Mumbai’s metro corridors cost ₹12,721 crore, while cities like Lucknow and Kochi have lower costs due to easier land access.
Choice Between Elevated and Underground Routes: The decision to build elevated or underground corridors involves complex trade-offs. In Delhi, the underground metro costs 1.5 to 2 times more than elevated sections, making financial and spatial planning challenging.
Way Forward for Metro Rail Systems in India
Public-Private Partnership (PPP): Emulating the success of the railway network, metro projects should increasingly adopt public-private partnerships (PPP) to share costs and risks, improving operational efficiency and ensuring financial sustainability.
Generating Revenue Through Space Utilization: Metro operators should explore additional revenue streams by effectively utilizing station spaces for retail, advertising, and commercial leasing.
Taking Preventive Measures for Safety: Enhanced safety measures, including CCTV surveillance, better lighting, and emergency response systems, are crucial to prevent accidents, particularly for women passengers.
Long-term Planning: Metro projects should focus on long-term planning, considering urban growth over the next 10-20 years. Forecasting population growth and transportation demand will ensure that metro systems evolve in line with the needs of expanding cities.
Feasible Land Acquisition Costs: Efforts must be made to streamline land acquisition processes to make them more predictable and cost-effective.
Exploring Alternative Transportation Systems: Exploring alternatives like hyperloop, electric buses, and cable cars can complement metro systems in densely populated cities. These solutions can reduce traffic congestion and improve overall urban mobility.
Expanding to Tier-3 and Tier-4 Cities: To ensure balanced urban growth, metro projects should focus on Tier-3 and Tier-4 cities, where public transport options are limited.
Dedicated Metro Division in Urban Ministry: Establishing a dedicated metro division within the Ministry of Urban Affairs can expedite project clearance, streamline approvals, and ensure more effective implementation of metro systems across the country.
Prioritizing Elevated Metro Construction: To avoid environmental degradation and minimize disruption to existing infrastructure, cities should prioritize elevated metro corridors over underground ones. Elevated metro systems are faster to construct, less disruptive, and more cost-effective.
Conclusion:
India’s metro network is set to become a key part of urban transportation as the country faces rapid urbanization. With over 600 million people expected to live in cities by 2030, the need for efficient, sustainable transport systems is crucial. The government’s Vision 2025 plan and investments from the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) focus on expanding metro networks and Mass Rapid Transit Systems (MRTS), positioning metros as a vital solution to India’s urban mobility challenges.
Download Plutus IAS Current Affairs (Eng) 06th Jan 2025
Prelims Questions:
Q. Consider the following statements:
1. Delhi is the first city in India to operate a driverless metro system.
2. Mumbai is the first city in India to run a metro on water.
3. Kochi is the first city in India to feature an underwater tunnel for its metro system.
How many of the above-given statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
ANSWER: a
Mains Question:
Discuss the role of the metro network in driving urbanization and fostering economic growth in India.
(Answer in 150 words)
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