Envisioning a Comprehensive Transport Strategy for Mumbai

Abstract

Cities, across the world, are facing the challenges and problems of balancing the transport demands with the supply and its management; it is viewed as rather complex in large metropolitan cities like Mumbai. Mumbai's structure of transport is ideal, yet its transport is plagued by several issues relating to congestion, passenger safety and comfort, and structural impediments causing immobility, all of which give a sorry state of transport. An important factor attributed to this state is the fact that most of the transport management strategies are based on the engineering measures in response to the crises. What is required is more of envisioning the city's transport in future and make forward planning to deal with the situation instead of taking ad hoc measures. This paper outlines the need for envisioning a strategy for Mumbai city transport based on the overview of current state of transport, analysis of underlying issues and review of existing projects and plans. It argues the need for a paradigm shift in the management strategy and details out the principles as well as structure of transport vision. It also compares and contrasts this approach with the current approach laid down by the city development authorities, so that the learnings could be spelt out.

Keywords: Urban transport, traffic management, transport vision, comprehensive transport strategy

JEL Classification: L90, L91, R40, R41, R49