How protest at India Gate puts spotlight back to pollution and traffic woes – The Indian Express

The Imperative for Sustainable Public Transport in India’s Urban Landscape

Recent public demonstrations in New Delhi against deteriorating air quality highlight a critical urban environmental crisis, largely driven by vehicular emissions and traffic congestion. This situation underscores the urgent need for a robust public transportation network, not only as a mobility solution but as a crucial tool for achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The global focus on this issue, exemplified by World Public Transport Day, emphasizes collective mobility as a primary strategy for reducing urban emissions and advancing environmental sustainability.

Urbanization, Environmental Pressures, and the Sustainable Development Goals

India is experiencing one of the world’s most rapid rates of urbanization, with projections indicating that over 40% of its population will reside in urban areas by 2036. This demographic shift places immense pressure on urban infrastructure, natural resources, and air quality, posing significant challenges to the nation’s development targets and its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Effective management of this urban expansion is fundamental to achieving SDG 11. Specifically, the development of a comprehensive public transport network is a direct response to Target 11.2, which calls for providing access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all. Furthermore, a transition to public transit is essential for mitigating climate change, directly contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by curbing transport-related greenhouse gas emissions.

Contribution of Public Transport to Socioeconomic and Environmental Sustainability

Socioeconomic Benefits and SDG Alignment

A well-planned urban public transport system yields significant socioeconomic advantages that align with multiple SDGs.

• Equity and Access: It provides affordable mobility for the urban poor, enhancing their access to economic opportunities, education, and healthcare, thereby supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
• Economic Efficiency: By reducing dependence on private vehicles, it alleviates traffic congestion, saving fuel and time, and lowering the economic costs associated with air and noise pollution.
• Sustainable Urban Planning: It enables Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), which promotes the concentration of housing and employment centers around transport hubs, fostering more compact and efficient urban forms.

Environmental Benefits and Climate Action

The environmental case for public transport is compelling and central to achieving urban sustainability goals.

• Emissions Reduction: A modal shift from private cars to public transport significantly reduces per capita greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, directly advancing SDG 13 (Climate Action).
• Improved Air Quality: Increased reliance on public transit helps lower concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) and other pollutants, which is critical for meeting Target 11.6 (reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities) and protecting public health under SDG 3.
• Resource Optimization: Public transport promotes efficient use of limited urban space by reducing the need for extensive road expansion and parking infrastructure.

National Initiatives for Sustainable Urban Mobility

The Government of India has launched several initiatives aimed at strengthening public transport infrastructure and aligning urban development with sustainability principles.

1. Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM): A foundational program for urban modernization that funded the procurement of over 15,000 buses, including many powered by cleaner fuels, to improve urban transport.
2. National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP): This policy marked a strategic shift towards a people-centric approach, prioritizing public transport and Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) to ensure sustainable and accessible urban mobility.
3. FAME I and II Schemes: These programs incentivize the adoption of electric vehicles in public transport fleets, contributing to the decarbonization of the transport sector in line with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13.
4. Smart Cities Mission: This mission promotes the use of technology to create more efficient urban systems. Key components include Intelligent Transport Management Systems (ITMS) and the ‘One Nation, One Card’ initiative, which enhance the user experience and operational efficiency of public transport, supporting SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

Challenges to Achieving Sustainable Transport Goals

Despite these initiatives, several challenges impede the scaling of clean public transportation in India.

• Financial Constraints: The high capital investment required for large-scale transit systems and the persistent operational losses of State Road Transport Undertakings (SRTUs) create significant barriers to expansion and modernization, affecting the infrastructure goals of SDG 9.
• Institutional Fragmentation: A lack of coordination between metro authorities, municipal bodies, and SRTUs results in planning discontinuities and critical gaps in last-mile connectivity, hindering the integrated approach required by SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
• Infrastructure Bias: A policy focus on accommodating private vehicles through the construction of flyovers and road-widening projects often marginalizes infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists, and buses, undermining the objectives of SDG 11.

Strategic Recommendations for Future Action

A multi-pronged strategy is required to overcome existing barriers and accelerate India’s progress towards a sustainable urban transport future.

Policy and Governance

• Establish Unified Metropolitan Transport Authorities (UMTAs) in all major cities to ensure integrated planning and seamless coordination across all modes of transport, fostering the partnerships envisioned in SDG 17.
• Implement innovative financial mechanisms, such as congestion taxes or cess levies, to create dedicated funding streams for public transport development.

Technology and Infrastructure

• Prioritize investment in first and last-mile connectivity, particularly through NMT modes like walking and cycling, to create a seamless travel experience.
• Leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics for dynamic route planning, real-time tracking, and demand management to enhance efficiency and user appeal, aligning with the innovation focus of SDG 9.

Public Engagement and Behavioural Change

• Launch sustained public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the health, economic, and environmental benefits of using public transport, promoting responsible consumption patterns as per SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Achieving a well-planned, effective, and equitable public transit network is a non-negotiable prerequisite for sustainable urbanization in India and a key determinant of the nation’s ability to meet its Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on India’s urban transport challenges and solutions addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis reveals connections to the following goals:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article begins by highlighting protests against “worsening air quality” and later discusses the “harmful effects of air and noise pollution.” It points out that improving public transport can reduce particulate matter (PM 2.5) and smog, directly linking urban mobility to public health outcomes.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The discussion on government initiatives like JNNURM, which funded “CNG-powered, as well as a number of hybrid-electric and fully electric buses,” and the FAME schemes, which focus on the “decarbonisation of the public transport fleet,” connects the issue to the promotion of clean energy in the transport sector.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The article’s core theme revolves around developing robust infrastructure, such as “metro networks and extensive bus fleets.” It also mentions modern solutions like “Intelligent Transport Management Systems (ITMS)” and the use of “Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools” for dynamic route planning, which fall under the goal of building resilient and innovative infrastructure.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article states that public transport has an “equalising effect, as it provides the urban poor with affordable access to economic opportunities, healthcare, and education.” This directly addresses the goal of promoting social and economic inclusion for all segments of the population.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: This is the most explicitly mentioned SDG in the article. It directly states that a robust public transport network is key to “advancing Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), specifically target 11.2.” The entire discussion on managing rapid urbanization, traffic congestion, and air quality is central to this goal.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The environmental benefits of public transport are linked to climate action. The article notes that a “shift from private vehicles to public transport can substantially reduce GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions per capita,” which is a key strategy for mitigating climate change.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The article’s focus on the “worsening air quality,” “harmful effects of air and noise pollution,” and the potential to reduce “particulate matter (PM 2.5)” directly relates to this target.
2. Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. The promotion of electric, hybrid, and CNG buses under the JNNURM and FAME schemes is an effort to create a more energy-efficient public transport fleet compared to traditional diesel vehicles.
3. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. The article’s call for a “well-planned, accessible, and affordable urban public transport network,” including metros and modern bus systems, aligns with this target.
4. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. The article supports this by describing public transport’s “equalising effect” in providing the “urban poor with affordable access to economic opportunities.”
5. Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport. This target is explicitly mentioned in the article as a key goal that can be advanced through the establishment of a robust public transport network.
6. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. The article’s central theme of tackling urban air pollution and traffic congestion through better public transport directly contributes to this target.
7. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The government initiatives discussed, such as the National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) and FAME schemes, represent the integration of climate-friendly transport solutions into national policy to reduce GHG emissions.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Air Quality Levels: The mention of “particulate matter (PM 2.5) and smog” serves as a direct indicator for measuring air quality in cities (relevant to Targets 3.9 and 11.6).
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The article refers to the potential to “substantially reduce GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions per capita.” This is a key indicator for climate action (Target 13.2).
• Composition of Public Transport Fleet: The number of “CNG-powered,” “hybrid-electric,” and “fully electric buses” procured under schemes like JNNURM and FAME is a clear indicator of the shift towards cleaner energy and improved energy efficiency in public transport (Target 7.3).
• Access to Public Transport: While not quantified, the goal of providing “access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all” implies an indicator related to the proportion of the urban population with convenient access to public transit (Target 11.2).
• Traffic Congestion Levels: The article mentions the problem of “billions of man-hours lost stuck in traffic.” A reduction in traffic congestion would be a key performance indicator for the success of public transport systems (Target 11.2).
• Infrastructure Development: The number of buses procured (“more than 15,000 buses across cities” under JNNURM) and the establishment of “Intelligent Transport Management Systems (ITMS)” are tangible indicators of infrastructure development (Target 9.1).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: indianexpress.com