Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC) proudly announced an outstanding achievement, surpassing anticipated figures with 67 Lakh passenger journeys registered on weekdays. This remarkable feat not only defies recent scepticism highlighted in a global publication but also positions Delhi metro as a notable exception, achieving ridership beyond Detailed Project Report (DPR).
More Details:
This is in reference to an article titled ‘“Transport Infrastructure: Off Track” on Metro infrastructure in India published recently in a leading global publication. In the article it was mentioned that not one of India’s metro rail systems has achieved even half its projected ridership and Delhi Metro which is the longest and most expansive in India, comes close at 47%.
The article also states that “Not a single metro system makes enough money to cover its expenses”. In this article, the writer has emphasised on the single mode of public transport i.e Buses to deal with urban transport requirements of emerging India.
DMRC would like to inform that, it is catering to approx. 67 lakh passenger journeys on weekdays. Which has exceeded the projected figures of DPR.
| Comparison of projected Passenger journeys vs actual (Whole network) | ||
| Projected Daily Passenger Journeys for (2023) | Actual Passenger Journey (Weekdays Avg. only) (Oct, 23) | % Share Actual Weekdays Avg. Daily passenger Journey Vs projected Daily Passenger journeys (2023) |
| 6218861 | 6721020 | 108% |
As shown in table above, on weekdays the actual passenger journeys of DMRC has exceeded the projections by 8%. It’s impressive to see the substantial impact that DMRC has had on Delhi’s infrastructure in just two decades. The extensive 392 km network and the multilateral benefits outlined in various studies showcase the positive contributions of the Delhi Metro.
DMRC has created 392 KM of massive network in just 20 years. Multilateral benefits of the DMRC be it social, economical or environmental has been verified by many studies. People admire it and demand its services all over Delhi. DMRC has become the life line of Delhi. Role of DMRC has been recognized and appreciated by various agencies.
EPCA (Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority):
- Report number 97, states that without an augmented public transport system, Delhi and other cities of India will not be able to combat toxic air pollution. The report states that Delhi metro’s share in public transport is 30% of total passenger KM in the city as compared to only 19 % share of Buses (DTC + Cluster buses).
- The report highlights the importance of DMRC as a major contributor for public transport in Delhi. It emphasised expansion of the DMRC network and requested early permissions for DMRC’s upcoming Phase-IV.
Standing committee on Housing and Urban Affairs Parliamentary Committee (2022-2023) Seventeenth Lok Sabha (recommendation S. No. 12 under para 2.15):
- The committee while analysing the ridership of DMRC has appreciated the operational performance of DMRC. The Committee also noted that Delhi Metro has been repaying its loans taken from JICA, timely from its operational revenues.
Study conducted by the TERI (The Energy and Research Institute) has captured the environmental, economic and social benefits of Delhi Metro Phase- I, II & III.
| Social Benefits | |||
| Sr. No. | Particular’s | Saving in 2022 | Expected Saving in 2031 |
| 1 | No. of vehicles off the road daily | 5,16,414 | 10,93,423 |
| 2 | Vehicle Kms Reduced (Million Kms) Annual | 3,227 | 6,834 |
| 3 | Time Saving by Passengers (Million hours) Annual | 269 | 572 |
| 4 | Reduction in Fuel consumption (Tonnes) Annual | 2,55,000 | 5,34,000 |
| Environment Benefits | |||
| Sr. No. | Particular’s | Saving in 2022 | Expected Saving in 2031 |
| 1 | Annual Reduction in CO2 (tonnes) | 7,66,000 | 16,06,000 |
| 2 | Annual Reduction in CO (tonnes) | 4,728 | 10,250 |
| 3 | Annual Reduction in HC (tonnes) | 3,389 | 11,111 |
| 4 | Annual Reduction in NOx (tonnes) | 3,130 | 5,744 |
| 5 | Annual Reduction in PM (tonnes) | 73 | 252 |
| Value in Saving (In million USD) | |||
| Sr. No. | Particular’s | Saving in 2022 | Expected Saving in 2031 |
| 1 | Annual value of time saved | 458.68 | 976.18 |
| 2 | Annual fuel cost saved | 167.23 | 358.63 |
| 3 | Cost of CO2 saved | 55.91 | 117.16 |
| 4 | Annual cost of pollutants saved | 18.23 | 39.38 |
| Total Cost Saving | 700.05 | 1483.36 | |
Each mode has its specific characteristics, they should be assigned corridors depending upon their suitability and effectiveness. They should be tactically planned in a way that they should complement instead of competing with each other.
Use of mixed modes of public transport is a paramount requirement especially in Delhi which is having a population of 32 million (approx.) in the year 2022 and among one of the highly densely populated cities with a density of 18 thousand people per square kilometre in the year 2022.
In some of the corridors DMRC is catering to a demand of 50,704 (PHPDT) by offering a capacity of 58,000. If the same demand is to be catered by buses, then the number of buses that are required will be 715 buses in an hour in one direction (considering capacity of a bus being 71 (41 seating+30 standing)). This translates to having a headway of around 5 seconds among buses which is not possible in congested roads of Delhi.
Conclusion:
- In conclusion, the data presented strongly supports the significant impact and success of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in meeting and exceeding its projected ridership figures.
- The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has exceeded projected ridership by 8%, catering to approximately 67 lakh passenger journeys on weekdays. This kind of demand cannot be met by a bus system.
- The 392 km network, established in just two decades, has become integral to Delhi’s infrastructure, earning recognition for its social, economic, and environmental contributions.
- Reports from EPCA, the Parliamentary Committee, and TERI emphasise DMRC’s crucial role in combating pollution, operational efficiency, and substantial environmental benefits.
- The data underscores DMRC’s success, with its positive impact extending beyond transportation, providing a model for addressing urban challenges and emphasising the need for a strategic mix of public transport modes in densely populated cities like Delhi.
Source: DMRC- Press Release | Image Credit (representational): DMRC
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