Integrated mobility, transit-oriented development key for India's urban future: Experts
New Delhi, June 17
India is undergoing one of the largest urban transitions in human history, with nearly 40 per cent of its population expected to reside in urban areas by 2036, which necessitates the rapid expansion of metro infrastructure in the country, leading experts have said.
Determined to contribute meaningfully to shaping the policy perspective through substantive dialogue, Chintan Research Foundation (CRF) convened the national conclave, titled "Metros in Metros: Transforming Urban Mobility, Catalysing Transit-Oriented Development," in the national capital.
M. Jamshed, Distinguished Fellow, CRF and former Member (Traffic), Railway Board, noted that urban rail systems have become indispensable to modern cities worldwide.
Stressing that the challenge extends beyond accommodating urban growth, he emphasised the need to build cities that are productive, inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and supported by integrated transport and land-use planning.
A central theme that emerged during the conclave was that mobility extends beyond transportation to enabling access to employment, education, healthcare, and economic opportunity.
Participants noted that congestion and fragmented mobility systems are imposing significant economic and environmental costs, making efficient public transport essential for productive and liveable cities.
The discussions underscored the growing role of Metro Rail, Regional Rapid Transit Systems (RRTS) and Suburban Rail Networks as the backbone of India's urban mobility ecosystem.
Dr. Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), emphasised that "advanced cities are not those where the poor drive cars, but those where the rich use public transport."
He described metro systems as engines of economic growth and urban transformation, stressing that their success should not be measured merely in kilometres of track laid, but by the quality of development created around them, and called for the creation of transit systems that are safe, inclusive, and efficient for all citizens.
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) emerged as another key area of discussion. Dr Kumar emphasised the need to integrate urban development with mass transit investments.
Compact, mixed-use and transit-accessible communities can promote sustainable urban growth, provided they are supported by coordinated planning and innovative financing mechanisms, he mentioned.
Shishir Priyadarshi, President, CRF, observed that India is effectively adding the equivalent of a medium-sized city to its urban population every month, making urban mobility one of the country's defining development challenges.
Describing congestion as a "silent tax on growth" that affects all citizens equally, he stressed that metro stations must evolve into complete systems and hubs of economic activity.
"The real question is not how urban transport drives growth, but how economic growth can translate into better urban transport systems and more liveable cities," Priyadarshi noted.
Dr. Brijesh Dixit, Managing Director, Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC), emphasised that the success of urban mobility projects depends fundamentally on robust planning and execution, including strong documentation, well-designed tender conditions, and clearly defined project parameters.
Shalabh Goel, Managing Director, NCRTC, said that India's metro systems today stand alongside the world's leading transit networks in technology and innovation and stressed the need for resilient, integrated mobility systems tailored to India's urban aspirations.
— IANS
Reader Comments
"Advanced cities are not those where the poor drive cars, but those where the rich use public transport." — absolutely brilliant statement from Dr. Vikas Kumar! Imagine if our politicians and bureaucrats started using metro daily. Maybe then we'd see better planning. But sorry to say, in India, owning a car is still seen as status symbol. 😔
Good to see focus on Transit-Oriented Development. But please remember — it's not just about metros in metro cities. Tier-2 cities like Lucknow, Indore, Surat desperately need better public transport too. Our urban planning still treats buses as an afterthought. Hope the next conclave includes smaller cities. 🚌
I appreciate the vision, but let's be practical. Metro construction in Delhi is always delayed, costs skyrocket, and coordination between agencies is pathetic. Also, why is there no mention of cycling infrastructure or pedestrian-friendly streets? TOD without walkability is incomplete. 🚲
I've worked in urban planning in the UK and visited Delhi recently. Honestly, India has some world-class metro infrastructure, but the way cities are designed around cars undermines it. The point about integrating land use with transit is critical. If every metro station became a hub with housing, offices, and shops, people would actually use it more. Great insights from the panel!
All these talks are fine, but ground reality is different. In Mumbai, local trains are jam-packed, metro construction is disrupting daily life, and there's no coordinated plan. Also, parking policy integration is missing — if you make parking cheap, people will still drive
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