An Approach to a National Urban Transport Policy Framework for India

Over the last two decades, rapid population growth and spatial expansion has led to a sharp increase in demand for urban transport facilities and services in many cities in India especially the metropolitan ones which have attracted significant investments in high-technology industries thanks to a competitive and highly qualified workforce. Given this situation, it is well recognised that efficient and reliable urban transport systems are crucial for India to sustain a high growth rate. But several factors mostly inadequate and faulty policy initiatives have hindered the adequate and timely provision of services. In this paper, an attempt is made to propose an appropriate policy framework that needs to be in place to initiate and encourage useful solutions to tackle the urban transport problem in the Indian context.