‘Integrate various modes of public transport to solve mobility issues’

UNESCO House, New Delhi hosted a conference on Integrated Sustainable Transport for Smart and Resilient Cities as a Pre-event for 12th Regional Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Forum in Asia (which is scheduled for Ho Chi Minh City on October 29-30) on October 10 and 11, 2019. The objective of the conference was to discuss the agenda for sustainable development, primarily focusing on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the progress made towards achieving them by the deadline of the year 2030. The SDG goals, at their core, represent a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity, and reflect national commitments to put the world on a more sustainable and resilient path. Through the adoption of this Agenda, member states acknowledged the vital role of sustainable transport in achieving the SDGs and 169 related topics with them. The Bangkok 2020 Declaration (2010-2020), which was adopted at the UNCRD led Intergovernmental 5th Regional EST Forum in Asia (2010, Thailand), is based on Avoid-Shift-Improve strategy to influence the decisions of governments and various transport stakeholders in the region over the decade (2010-2020) towards realization of safe, secure, affordable, efficient, people- and environment-friendly, and inclusive transport in rapidly urbanising and modernising Asia.

The two-day conference featured eight sessions and over 30 academicians, intellectuals and officials who explored the challenges faced by public transportation systems in Indian cities and highlighted possible innovations that can be implemented in the growing Indian transportation sector, which directly contributes to India’s ability to reach the set SDGs.

The conference began with an opening address by a panel of eminent speakers who highlighted the agenda of the coming sessions. Eric Falt, Director, UNESCO, started the dialogue by highlighting the importance of SDGs in the sustenance of the planet by saying, “Humanity has developed a roadmap for the common good of the planet. These are the Sustainable Development Goals.” He said that Delhi would be facing challenges of immense proportions in future if urbanisation continues to accelerate. One of the biggest challenges is the menace of pollution which is intricately interlaced with the growth of transportation alternatives in the city, which contribute in the deterioration of the environment.

He said that it is highly essential to integrate various transportation alternatives to minimise this damage. Kamal Singh, Executive Director, UNGC, said, “SDGs are key game changers which will push India to achieve the set goal of a five trillion economy.” Talking about developing a sustainable transportation system as being one of the key factors in achieving the SDGs, he highlighted that it won’t be easy merging the current public transportation systems of India within the constraints of the pre-existing infrastructure. Ravi Ranjan Guru, Deputy Director-General, All India Institute of Local Self- Government (AIILSG) encapsulated the contributions made by AIILSG in supporting the Government of India to achieve sustainable transportation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Following the inaugural session, a debate on the role of ‘Public Transport Planning for Small, Medium and Large Cities’ took place in the first session. The speakers focused on the essential policy imperatives required to foster the selection of transport systems and its interrelationship with urban form. Samir Sharma, Vice President & Head – Transport Planning, DIMTS, made it clear that buses will dominate as public transport in the future (2041-42). Ravinder Minhas from DTC remarked that for improving the efficiency of public transport systems, it is essential to minimise time taken to reach bus or metro terminals. “Integrating different types of transit systems is essential”, he said.

Sarika Chakrabarti of the NIUA remarked that MPD suggests a shift towards a sustainable mode of transport and providing people with the option of choosing between various modes of transport by increasing their accessibility. It was also highlighted that the role and roadmap of SDG11 sub-clause 2 can be achieved within the projects; implementation and integration at the planning level need to be achieved through these projects.

The second session reinforced the importance of non-motorised transport as we move towards a time period where greater advancements are being made in automation. The role of citizen engagement was explored and while each presenter referred to some form of engagement that was contextual to their work such as crowdsourced data using apps, extensive consultations with the customers or making a community of followers, it was also highlighted that India does not have a process of public consultation in place that is of any merit or quality. DV Manohar, Vice President, World Cycling Association, pointed out that Delhiites average lifespan is reduced by 10 years due to air pollution. “The solution to curtail this level of pollution is to go back to our old transportation method: the bicycle. Utmost importance must be given to pedestrians and cyclists following other motor transport. Cycles improve last-mile connectivity, improves health amongst other benefits,” he added.

The third session focused on the work being done in smaller (< 1 million population) cities to achieve a better transportation system as well as progress towards SDGs. Case studies of new innovations introduced in cities like Patiala (Punjab), Bulandshahar (UP) and Nainital (Uttarakhand) were put forth by the panellists. Laghu Parashar, Senior Advisor, gave an interesting presentation about the operation of the Amritsar’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) model, which incorporates the city’s elevated road network. The project, which was first of its kind in India, was developed on a budget of `500 crore and was implemented by Punjab Bus Metro Society in a corridor of 32 km.

The fourth session was based on the feasibility of shift to electric mobility in the private transportation sector. The session was highly focused on the technicalities that we must consider before going into this.

Sajid Mubashir, Scientist G, Department of Science and Technology, gave a presentation which put forth the current challenges that the government is facing in expanding the e-mobility infrastructure across cities and the solutions that will grow the concept gradually. Just moving to a different power source won’t be enough, overall usage of vehicles must be reduced. Professor Nizamuddin, IIT Delhi, who has conducted research in the field of EV infrastructure said, “The major challenges for the implementation of EVs in developing nations are: reduction of cost, increasing the range of the vehicles by developing charging stations. No plan for investment in infrastructure is currently introduced by the government.” The fifth session was centred around the Financing and Legal Aspects of Sustainable Public Transport in India. The major takeaway was that Integration of transport is not the integration of 2-3 modes, but it should instead be integration with the flow of traffic. Equity in the allocation of resources is extremely important.

The sixth session debated that road safety needs a balance between accessibility and mobility. The need for a safe system approach in meeting road safety challenges is required. Role of indicators and a data-driven approach to planning sustainable mobility is required. The two-day event was concluded by a presentation which encapsulated all the major points that were raised during the conference and would be further brought to the attention of the EST Forum. A brief address by Raghav Chandra, Kulwant Singh and Ravi Ranjan Guru concluded the ceremony.