Delhi govt mulls revival of shared taxi rides to cut pollution and traffic congestion
New Delhi: In a renewed push to tackle air pollution and ease traffic congestion, the Delhi government is considering bringing back shared taxi services that were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic. Officials said the move is aimed at reducing the number of private vehicles on city roads while offering affordable and convenient travel options to commuters.
The government is also stepping up efforts to ensure that vehicles operating in the capital do not add to pollution levels. As part of this plan, it is expanding the network of automated commercial vehicle fitness testing stations across Delhi. An official statement said a meeting with major ride-hailing platforms will be held soon to discuss measures to improve passenger services and promote cleaner transport options.
Shared taxi rides, which were available in Delhi before the pandemic, are now under active consideration for revival. These services are expected to help lower commuting costs and reduce the overall number of vehicles on the roads, contributing to better air quality.
Chief minister Rekha Gupta said the central aim of Delhi’s transport policy is to limit vehicle growth without causing inconvenience to daily commuters. She said the government is in regular talks with transport network companies such as Ola and Uber and has urged them to focus on shared mobility, encourage more women drivers, and adopt environment-friendly practices.
According to Gupta, the upcoming meeting with ride-hailing firms will focus on restarting shared taxi services, increasing the participation of women drivers, and exploring the possibility of integrating private electric vehicles into taxi operations. She said the government is examining ways to ensure that fewer vehicles can safely and efficiently transport more passengers, which would help cut down congestion and pollution.
The chief minister said the policy is designed not just to address current traffic challenges but also to lay the foundation for a sustainable and eco-friendly transport system in the long run. Increasing the number of women drivers in taxi services is also a priority, as it would provide safer and more reliable travel options for women passengers.
On vehicle emissions, Gupta said the Delhi government is firmly committed to making sure all vehicles on the road meet pollution norms. Automated fitness testing stations are being set up rapidly to achieve this goal. The facility at Jhuljhuli is already operational and tests around 70,000 vehicles each year, while the Burari centre is currently being upgraded.
Two more centres at Nand Nagri and Tehkhand are expected to become operational by March next year. Together, these four stations will have the capacity to test between 2.5 lakh and 3 lakh commercial vehicles annually. In addition, five new automated fitness testing stations will be established at DTC depots in Bawana, Ghazipur, Savda Ghevra, GTK Depot and Dichau Kalan, all of which have received the required approvals.
Gupta pointed out that several studies have identified vehicular emissions as a major source of air pollution in Delhi. She also noted that certain corridors of Delhi Metro Phase 5A have received in-principle approval from the Centre, paving the way for further expansion of the metro network. The expansion is expected to ease pressure on roads and offer a long-term solution to pollution control in the capital.
(with inputs from agencies)
