An affordable, efficient and easily accessible system of public transport in India, is utmost essential for more than one billions. It is due to considering the living standards of people living in developing countries like India.
There is no substitute for the public transporting in India where large number of people are still striving hard to attain basic needs. Surprisingly, it is the same country in which 95 percent of petrol is consumed by two wheelers and private cars.
Apart from this, the degree of accidents is another thing. First of all, let’s see the benefits of public transport in India.
Need for public transport in India
1.Reduce the import and consumption of crude oil
You know that there is no price sensitivity of demand in terms of crude oil consumption. Unlike other commodities, it doesn’t have reliable alternative nor substitute. Though there is a hope in the form of ethanol, the degree of demand for crude oil won’t let us to offset the price burden in near future.
As a matter of fact that country consumes 4 million barrels of crude oil per day. But the production of ethanol is hardly 10 percent of total consumption. Then, it is too difficult to imagine to achieve beyond 10 percent of blend when the demand of liquor and chemical industries cannot be neglected.
For this purpose, oil optimization through better public transport system could be a promising option. It is essential for many reasons. First, growing oil demand can be capped.
Second, available oil resources can be diverted for more productive activities.
Third, it will help to control the erosion of people’s hard core saving. Otherwise, they might burn it to purchase two wheelers and extra oil.
2.Stress on infrastructure minimised with public transport
The major characteristic feature of Indian roads is congestion and traffic jams. And, why not? India ranks first in two wheelers, whereas third in overall auto market.
In this situation, we cannot say that the people’s standards of living rising to cover up the failure of public transport. Nor, we could celebrate the better growth in auto industries as most of the production is consumed by the domestic market, leaving little for export.
Further, most of the Indian roads are labelled as non-motorable. Hence, any extra stress may aggravate the situation. By strengthening public transport, in the line of the other developed nations, we can avoid congestion, irritating traffic, and improve quality of infrastructure. This is yet another benefits of public transportation in India.
3.Control over causalities of accidents through improved public transport
According to World Health Organization, apart from accidental costs, traffic crash costs around 3 percent of GDP in some countries. In case of accidents, the loss of property and lives is beyond words. Let’s take the example of India, as per the surveys, around 400 people lost their lives in the road accidents.
The number is almost four times compare to US where only one-fourth causalities are reported. Mainly, the growing number of private cars and two wheelers are ascribed for these accidents.
Today, as per the census data, India has almost 53 million cites. And, total percent of urban population has reached around 30 percent. Out of 53 million cities, many declared highly polluted to live. Automotive exhaust is the second major reason for this rampant pollution.
In this way, public transportation in India might offer countless benefits.
Final thought on public transport in India
In the ‘Benefits of public transport in India’ I have presented some arguments to prove that poor public transporting system is the real epicentre of many problems. And, once we work on its improvement, then definitely, it will be the boon for economy and society. So, to strengthen public transport system in India isn’t mere compulsion but opportunity.
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