Transportation in Delhi

Delhi, by its variety, congestion and large expanse, is a transportation challenge, but it has an advantage in terms of good infrastructure in the form of wide roads and decent railway and air connectivity.

Roadways

As Delhi’s population continues to grow exponentially, the city’s transportation authority struggles to reduce traffic congestion. Like many other cities in the developing world, it faces acute transport management problems leading to air pollution, congestion and resultant loss of productivity. Delhi’s state government initiated a massive traffic decongestion plan in the late 1990s, investing billions of dollars in the road transport system. Today, there are more flyovers and highways in Delhi than in all other Indian metropolitan cities combined. The city’s transportation system is regarded as the best in India. The Government’s modest efforts have also helped reduce air pollution in the city.

Road connectivity is mostly reliant on private vehicles. Delhi has the highest ratio of vehicles per capita in India. Government-owned-Delhi Transport Corporation buses, and private buses, including chartered buses, White-line buses and Yellow-line buses also play a crucial role in connecting Delhi.

Auto-rickshaws

The auto rickshaws (sometimes called Auto) are an important and popular means of public transportation in Delhi, as they charge a lower fare than Taxis. Hiring an Auto in Delhi is very tricky, as few auto-drivers accept standard meter charges. The typical method is to haggle for an agreeable rate. It is typical for the rate to be almost doubled after 11 p.m. With the introduction of electronic meters, the tamperability of meters has reduced, and a stronger jurisdiction for a sanctioning body has forced more auto-rickshaws to comply with the meter-based charging scheme.

Taxis

Though easily available, taxis are not an integral part of Delhi public transport. Most taxis are operated by DTC, Indian Tourism Ministry and various private operators. The Tourism Ministry grants private companies permits to operate taxis. Locally called tourist taxis, they provide better service than DTC ones, but, unlike DTC taxis, are not metered and usually charge more. To hire a taxi, one either has to go to a taxi stand or telephone a taxi service provider; they are not usually flagged from the street.

Buses

Delhi has one of India’s largest Bus transport systems. Most of the Buses which ply across Delhi are operated by State-owned Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and other private operators such as the BlueLine Transport Corporation. It is mandatory for all private bus operators to acquire permit from Delhi’s State Transport Authority.

Bus fares are based on the colour of the stripe on the bus. Regular DTC buses are yellow and have bus numbers in white plates. Their fares are in denomination of 2, 5, 7 and 10 rupees. Similar private buses are yellow or blue. Buses with green stripes, yellow number plates and GL printed ahead of the number, charge a flat fare of 10 rupees.

DTC operates the world’s largest fleet of environmentally friendly CNG buses. While not very high-tech, they pollute much less than the poorly designed and maintained diesel buses of most other State Road Transit Commissions (RTCs) in India.

The buses are also much easier on the lungs of other road users as there is no cloud of carbon particles in the face of the unfortunate motorcyclist who sidles next to a bus at an intersection. Directly, and indirectly, the gas-burning buses have also somewhat reduced the downward trend in Delhi’s air quality and related illnesses.

Metro

A metro (mass rapid-transit system) built and managed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is also under operation. Three lines currently operate. Line 1 runs east-west for 22kms on an elevated track between Rithala and Shahdara. Line 2 runs north-south for 11kms in an underground tunnel between Vishwa Vidyalaya and the Central Secretariat. Line 3, opened on December 31, 2005, runs 22.8 km long on elevated tracks and an underground tunnel, between Indraprastha, Barakhamba Road and Dwarka.

Railway connectivity

Delhi has a large and efficient railway network. The Indian Railways plays a crucial role in connecting Delhi with the rest of India. The railway system also helps connect major parts of the city and its suburbs. The major railway stations connected through the trains are Old Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, New Delhi, Okhla, Pragati Maidan, Shahdara, Shakur Basti and Tilak Bridge. One of the major local trains operates between Palwal station and Shakur Basti station.

Airports

Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) serves Delhi for both domestic and international connections, and is situated in the southwestern corner of the city. It is one of the busiest airports in South Asia. It operates two terminals; Terminal 1 is domestic, Terminal 2 international. The international terminal has all modern facilities like Duty-Free Shopping, money exchange service and various other recreational facilities.

Two other airports are Palam (now part of the IGI complex) and Safdarjung Flying Club. Palam Airport (formerly RIAF Palam) is now used by the Indian Air Force and the Avionics Research Centre (ARC) of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).