PLANNING OF AN INTEGRATED MASS RAPID TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR DELHI

Due to rapid increase in population, per capita trip rate and trip length, the demand for public transit has been increasing over the years. In Delhi the number registered has increased greatly, making Delhi the fourth most polluted city in the world. The total demand for public transit trips, which was 5.5 million in 1994, is expected to increase to 12.9 million by the year 2001. More alarming is that the passenger kilometers traveled per day, which was 42 million in the year 1994, is expected to increase to 132 million by the year 2001. To respond to this demand, the government of Delhi felt that a rail based public transit system is the only solution to the deteriorating traffic situation and increased pollution level. RITES prepared a number of alternative networks, based on a four-stage transportation planning process. Based on maximum passenger km carried per km in a year, a network was recommended. This network was further divided into 16 sections for the purpose of implementation. 55.3 km of this network has been formally approved. Convenient station access for pedestrians and various types of vehicles and convenient interchange facilities at various stations have also been planned and are discussed in this paper.