https://countercurrents.org/2022/04/more-trouble-for-metro-rail-in-indian-cities/
The Metro rail network is failing miserably in different cities. In Bangalore steps to check the falling ridership of Namma Metro are not helping. Its daily pass scheme too has drawn poor response. In a city of millions, only four people bought a three day pass costing Rs 400 on April 5. With the pass you can travel any number of times on the Metro.
In Mumbai in the new Metro line the response is so poor, one can count on one’s fingers the number of commuters in the compartment or in the station. I noticed that myself.
The Metro authorities everywhere have been claiming that Metro will bring down car use. But car use is increasing rapidly and this is very depressing, says D.T. Devare, a transport activist from Bangalore and corporate executive, who prefers to use public transport to his car. Sadly, even bus use is falling in Bangalore.
So Bangalore , despite the Metro, is becoming more congested . Part of the reason is the craze for cars. In the IT information technology industry high pay right from the beginning of the career is pushing up car sales. Then people start buying new cars after three to four years, they go for bigger size cars causing more congestion. They are spoiling the countryside and hill stations. Mr Devare said because of heavy car traffic roads are being widened in hill station areas and trees are being cut adding to the environment crisis.
Sadly, corporate companies give incentives to employees to buy cars. The Central government’s urban affairs ministry has in a circular asked state governments to promote non motorized transport and reduce car use but this is more in the nature of lip service.
By Vidyadhar Date
12/04/2022