Economic use of transport
Need for economic use of Land
The human population in India is over one hundred million. Our natural resources like land, water, minerals are limited. Per capita needs for these resources are alarmingly high. The main limitation is of land. Land is required for agriculture, forests, wild life, human residence, industries, institutions, railways, road transport etc. The demand for industrial use especially for the urban rich is receiving greater response from Government to utter disregard of need for preservation of forests, wild life and poor section of people-tribes or nomads. This indifference has partly caused the problem of ultra left.
High allocation of land for transport
Apart from residential needs, Rail and Road Transport is consuming increasingly disproportionately high share of land and other resources in the form of railway lines, roads, garages, loco sheds, depots and workshops. Railway is controlled directly by Government and probably, attempt is made to make optimum use of railway assets. Roads are managed by central government, state governments and local bodies. These are declared as National Highways, State High Ways or local roads depending on importance.
Overcrowding on roads
The goods transport is handled on commercial lines and obviously, there is no underutilization of capacity. The scope for reduction of costs and affecting economy is in personal transport. The vehicular transport in cities is at snail’s speed. The roads and commercial places are packed with the vehicles so that there remains not even space to walk. The parking problem in cities is also very acute.
Reduce number of vehicles on road
There is need to reduce commutation of people and reduce the number of vehicles. The result of abnormally high vehicular traffic is more accidents, road blockage, and overcrowding and air pollution and so on.
Discourage personal transport
The remedy lies in checking personal transport. Most of the accidents on road including High Way are caused by personal vehicles. These also cost more in terms of idle cost and per capita consumption of fuel, and parking problem. The personal vehicles remain idle except when driven by the owner. The criminal activities are also facilitated by personal transport. It may be recalled that once double riding of motor cycles was prohibited by Punjab Government in view of terrorist and criminal activities.
Encourage public transport
We should begin first by sending old vehicles off the road and scrapping them. The manufacturing in motor vehicle industry should be so regulated as to concentrate more on public transport vehicles and discourage cars and other vehicles of personal use. Public transport needs to be made more efficient and regular. The big establishments may encourage their employees to use the transport provided by employer. Apart from more efficient use of fuel, economy of space and usage of capacity will also be obtained.
How to reduce personal travel- some suggestions
One way to reduce use of transport is to encourage people to work from home. Use of internet and other means of communication will reduce need of personal attendance in office by all staff. Construction of residential complexes near place of work may also serve the purpose. Compact complexes consisting of factory/ commercial establishments, staff residential units, medical clinics, grocery shops will also reduce need of transport.
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