Subject: Economy

The National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) marks a paradigm shift from vehicle-centric to people-centric urban mobility, emphasizing sustainable and inclusive transportation solutions for India's rapidly urbanizing landscape.

Implementation and Success of Government Strategies

1. Mass Rapid Transit Systems (MRTS)

• Metro Rail Networks: Significant success with 36.5 billion annual ridership across fifteen major Indian cities, with Delhi Metro alone carrying 4.63 million daily passengers in 2025.
• Suburban Rail: Emerged as the backbone of urban mobility, becoming the largest urban transit mode by ridership in metropolitan areas.
• Challenges include high capital costs and limited last-mile connectivity in many cities.

2. Bus Rapid Transit Systems (BRTS)

• Mixed success with 10 cities implementing BRTS as of 2024, with 3 more projects in pipeline.
• Ahmedabad's Janmarg stands as a successful model of BRTS implementation.
• Several failures noted:
  • Partial operationalization in Pune.
  • Complete dismantling in Delhi and Bhopal.

3. Digital Integration Initiatives

• Implementation of unified digital ticketing systems in 100 smart cities.
• Integration of multiple transport modes through QR code-based systems.
• Challenges in technological adoption and infrastructure readiness persist.

4. Sustainable Mobility Solutions

• Focus on non-motorized transport through:
  • Dedicated cycling lanes.
  • Pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
• Implementation of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) policies.

Challenges and Way Forward

1. Infrastructure Gaps

• Need for better integration between different transport modes.
• Last-mile connectivity issues remain a significant concern.

2. Policy Implementation

• Requirement for stronger institutional frameworks.
• Need for better coordination between multiple agencies.

The success of NUTP has been mixed, with notable achievements in metro systems but challenges in BRTS implementation. Moving forward, focus should be on integrated mobility solutions, as demonstrated by successful models like New Zealand's comprehensive transport budget of $2.68 billion covering multiple transport modes. The key lies in creating sustainable, accessible, and inclusive urban transport systems that truly prioritize people over vehicles.