Web Desk
With Delhi’s air quality continuing to deteriorate, the government is stepping up its efforts to reduce vehicular emissions and ease public transportation woes. On October 22, 2024, the Delhi Transport Minister announced that the Delhi Metro would increase its trips by 40 daily, aiming to encourage more commuters to use public transport instead of personal vehicles.
The decision comes at a time when Delhi is grappling with severe pollution levels, often entering the ‘hazardous’ category. By boosting the number of metro trips, the government hopes to provide a faster and more efficient alternative to road travel, thereby reducing the number of private vehicles on the road. Additionally, more public buses will be deployed to further ease congestion and cater to the growing demand for public transport.
The government’s air pollution control efforts have been widely supported, though some argue that more aggressive measures are needed to address the root causes of the pollution crisis, such as industrial emissions and crop burning in neighboring states. Nevertheless, the increased metro trips and additional buses are expected to offer some relief to Delhi’s residents as they navigate worsening air quality conditions.
