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General Studies 2 >> Governance

EDITORIAL ANALYSIS: Urbanisation and the challenge of ideal transit solutions

Urbanisation and the challenge of ideal transit solutions

Source: The Hindu

For Prelims

What:

The editorial focuses on India’s urban mobility challenge in the context of Viksit Bharat 2047 and evaluates current and future public transport models, especially in light of demographic shifts and infrastructure needs.

Why:

With more than 60% of India’s population expected to live in urban areas by the 2060s, ensuring efficient, affordable, and sustainable public transportation is vital for economic productivity, environmental goals, and equitable urban development.

Who:

Key initiatives referenced include the PM e-Bus Sewa, PM e-Drive scheme, and the Economic Survey 2023-24. The editorial also brings in comparisons with countries like Brazil and China, and evaluates India's efforts relative to global benchmarks. Emerging models like trams and trolleybuses are discussed as alternatives.

Outcome:

The editorial urges Indian policymakers to critically reassess their current preference for e-buses and metros in favor of more sustainable, cost-efficient, and climate-aligned options like trams, especially in light of long-term fiscal constraints and operational inefficiencies.

For Mains

GS II / GS III: Governance, Urbanization, Infrastructure Development

UPSC EXAM NOTES ANALYSIS

1. Analyze the challenges faced by India in providing effective urban mobility solutions amid rapid urbanization.

With over 60% of the population projected to live in cities by 2060s, urban transport must accommodate a large working population.
Metro expansion is capital intensive, underperforming on ridership and profitability.
Existing urban bus systems are inadequate (35,000 operational vs. 200,000 needed).
Last-mile connectivity, affordability, and sustainability remain bottlenecks.

2. Evaluate the effectiveness of government schemes such as PM e-Bus Sewa and PM e-Drive in bridging India’s urban transport deficit.

PM e-Bus Sewa aims to induct 10,000 new buses.
PM e-Drive supports procurement of over 1.25 lakh electric vehicles.
Budgetary allocations are rising, but private investment is limited due to low returns.
Long-term viability of e-buses questioned due to high operational/replacement costs.

3. Should India invest in reviving trams and trolleybuses in urban mobility planning? Justify with lifecycle cost and climate considerations.

Trams offer 45% long-term profitability over 70 years.
E-buses show 82% net loss due to maintenance and battery costs.
Trams align with climate goals and are scalable; trolleybuses also viable though less efficient.
Proposal to reintroduce trams in Kochi could redefine India’s approach to sustainable transport.

Highlights of the Editorial

Urbanization and Growth Vision

Viksit Bharat 2047 relies on urban India as a growth engine.
Urban population shift from rural areas necessitates strong infrastructure planning.

Policy Initiatives and Gaps

Budget schemes like PM e-Bus Sewa and PM e-Drive aim to address bus shortages.
Only 37% of urban residents have easy access to public transit.
Metro systems are underperforming in terms of ridership and cost recovery.
Last-mile connectivity remains unresolved, and fare sensitivity affects usage.

Alternatives in Urban Mobility

India is overly dependent on expensive e-buses with long-term losses.
Trams and trolleybuses show better long-term financial sustainability.
Trams in particular demonstrate high profitability, low emissions, and alignment with SDGs.

Fiscal & Environmental Sustainability

Urban transport must not rely perpetually on subsidies.
Lifecycle P&L analysis necessary for future transport planning.
Kochi tram revival could serve as a scalable model for Tier-2 cities.

4.Conclusion

The editorial strongly advocates for a re-evaluation of urban transport priorities in India. Instead of chasing technology-driven, subsidy-heavy models, India must consider historically proven, financially viable, and climate-conscious transit systems like trams. These systems not only support India's net-zero ambitions but also promote equitable, accessible, and resilient urban growth in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047

Mains Practice Questions

"Urban mobility will be the backbone of Viksit Bharat 2047." Discuss the challenges faced in planning sustainable and inclusive urban transport systems in India and suggest policy interventions. (250 words)
India has ambitious urban transport goals, but its execution faces gaps in inclusivity, affordability, and sustainability. Examine the effectiveness of current government schemes such as PM e-Bus Sewa and PM e-Drive in this context. (250 words)
Discuss the role of public transportation in achieving equitable urbanization in India. How can last-mile connectivity be improved to enhance public transport usage? (150 words)
India’s urban mobility policy heavily relies on e-buses and metros. Critically evaluate the long-term financial and environmental sustainability of these modes in comparison to alternatives like trams and trolleybuses. (250 words)
“Urban transport in India is subsidy-dependent and cost-inefficient.” Do you agree? Justify your answer with reference to lifecycle cost analysis and fiscal constraints of the Indian state. (250 words)

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