75% citizens want to use public transport, reveals GMDA survey

Gurugram: The Gurugram metropolitan development authority (GMDA) survey on laying routes for public buses have revealed significant economic trends of the city. Over 5,500 households were surveyed that involved a total population of 19,642. As many as 57 per cent of the population was male while 43 per cent female. The exercise was conducted in all the 35 wards of the city. As there are plans to introduce over 400 buses in around 11 routes in the city, the officials have conducted the survey to understand the shortcomings of the public transportation system which can then be rectified.

Based on the observations, 69 per cent of the city population comes under the middle class category, with 40 per cent of the citizens having a monthly income ranging from Rs 15, 000 to Rs 30,000. Over 28 per cent had monthly income limit of Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000. Around 7 per cent of the population has the income limit of Rs 50,000 to Rs one lakh. Over 90 per cent of the 5,500 households surveyed have their own personal vehicles. As many as 72 per cent of the houses have two wheelers and 18 per cent cars. As many as 70 per cent of the houses have only one vehicle.

Around 75 per cent of the respondents mentioned that they would like to commute through public transportation while 25 per cent of the population highlighted that they were more comfortable using their personal vehicles. One of the major issues raised by the citizens is lack of proper schedule and overcrowding of public buses.

In order to improve the public transportation system in Gurugram, there are plans to introduce around 500 buses in the city. Though they were slated to be introduced in March this year, the deadline has been extended to August now. An agreement letter has been signed between the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) to increase the number of buses in the city.

The buses that will be introduced will include air-conditioned buses. Presently, there are around 50 Haryana Roadways buses operational in the city. The services of buses in the city are inadequate. Poor maintenance of the buses and too many stoppage have resulted in inconvenience for citizens in Gurugram. Preparations have begun by the GMDA officials to find the bus depots where the buses will be parked.

Four bus depots have been chosen by the public officials for this purpose. The areas being considered as bus depots for parking of the buses are 13.5 acres in Kadipur, 4.6 acres in Sector 53, 12 acres in Sector 33 and three acres near Central Mall in MG road.