Besides poverty and squalor, what all South Asian cities have in common is a highly congested, heavily polluted, chaotic and unsafe transportation system. Poor urban transport is lowering the quality of life in at least three ways, besides contributing massively to climate change—the gravest threat humanity faces today.

First, traffic congestion means that people waste long periods of time in commuting, typically in unpleasant or nerve-wracking conditions marked by fierce rivalry for road-space. In many cities, commuting time has doubled over the past decade. Second, air pollution is causing grievous health damage, including respiratory problems and psychological stress. Third, transport expenses are rising, leading to cuts in spending on other necessities of life.

All these problems are getting aggravated as cars and two-wheelers proliferate in our cities, driven by rampant middle class consumerism and by policies which promote and subsidise them. In recent years, private vehicle production has risen in South Asia at rates much higher than GDP growth, typically 10 percent-plus. In India, car production has doubled over 5 years. Mid-sized—and more polluting—sedans are replacing small cars.

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Source: International The News (www.thenews.com.pk)