Economic Survey 2025-26: High, rising mobility costs evident; RRTS expansion offers hope
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Infrastructure (energy, ports, roads, railways)· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The Economic Survey 2025-26 highlighted significant productivity losses due to urban congestion, citing costs exceeding $22 billion across four major cities.
Background
The Economic Survey 2025-26 cites reports by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Uber-BCG regarding mobility costs. It identifies Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata as major hubs where congestion costs exceed $22 billion annually.
Facts for Prelims
- FactAnnual costs of congestion in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata exceed $22 billion.
- PlaceNamo Bharat RRTS corridor connects Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut.
- BodyCentre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Uber-BCG provided the underlying studies for mobility costs.
- S&TTransit-oriented development (TOD) is suggested to reallocate urban space from storage to movement.
For Mains
Q. Discuss how improving urban mobility and transit-oriented development can mitigate productivity losses and enhance economic efficiency in India's rapidly urbanizing cities.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Productivity drain: High congestion costs in tier-1 cities leading to significant annual economic losses
- Spatial reallocation: Transitioning urban planning from storage-centric to movement-centric transit-oriented development
- Last-mile connectivity: Integrating walking, cycling, and shared feeders to improve high-capacity public transport utility
Keywords: Transit-oriented development · Productivity loss · Mass rapid transit systems · Last-mile connectivity · Urban mobility
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