Delhi Government Plans Revival of Shared Rides to Tackle Air Pollution

In a renewed push to curb air pollution and traffic congestion, the Delhi government is considering reviving shared ride services offered by app-based taxi platforms such as Ola and Uber. These shared rides were discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic but may soon return as part of a broader transport reform agenda, officials said on Friday.

The move aims to reduce the number of private vehicles on city roads while ensuring affordable and convenient travel options for commuters.

Meeting With Ride-Hailing Firms Soon

According to an official statement, the Delhi government will soon hold discussions with transportation network companies to improve passenger services and promote shared mobility. The talks will focus on restarting shared taxi services, increasing the number of women drivers, and expanding environment-friendly transport options across the capital.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the core objective of the government’s transport policy is to transport more people using fewer vehicles, without causing inconvenience to daily commuters.

“The government remains in constant dialogue with companies like Ola and Uber. We expect them to prioritise shared rides, promote electric vehicles, and encourage greater participation of women drivers,” Gupta said.

Focus on Sustainable and Inclusive Mobility

Gupta said the government is exploring ways to integrate private electric vehicles into taxi services, which could further reduce emissions and fuel consumption. She added that increasing women’s participation in the taxi workforce will help provide safer and more reliable travel options for women passengers.

“This policy responds to today’s traffic challenges and lays the foundation for a long-term, sustainable, and environment-friendly transport model for Delhi,” the chief minister said.

Officials believe that reviving shared rides could significantly cut down road congestion, especially during peak hours, while also lowering transport costs for passengers.

Expansion of Automated Vehicle Fitness Testing

Alongside shared mobility reforms, the Delhi government is ramping up efforts to ensure that commercial vehicles meet pollution norms. It is rapidly expanding automated vehicle fitness testing stations to identify and remove polluting vehicles from city roads.

The automated fitness testing centre at Jhuljhuli is already operational and conducts fitness tests for around 70,000 vehicles every year. Meanwhile, the Burari centre is undergoing an upgrade to enhance its testing capacity.

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Two additional centres at Nand Nagri and Tehkhand are expected to become operational by March next year. Once functional, these four centres will collectively test between 2.5 lakh and 3 lakh commercial vehicles annually.

Five More Fitness Centres Approved

The government has also approved the installation of five new automated vehicle fitness testing stations at Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) depots. These facilities will come up at Bawana, Ghazipur, Savda Ghevra, GTK Depot, and Dichau Kalan.

“These centres will play a crucial role in ensuring that no unfit or highly polluting vehicle operates in Delhi,” Gupta said, reiterating the government’s commitment to making the capital’s transport system cleaner.

Research studies have consistently identified vehicular emissions as one of the biggest contributors to Delhi’s air pollution, especially during winter months.

Metro Expansion to Reduce Road Traffic

In another major development, certain corridors under Delhi Metro Phase-5A have received in-principle approval from the Central government. The expansion will further strengthen public transport infrastructure and reduce pressure on road traffic.

Officials believe that a combination of expanded metro connectivity, shared mobility options, electric vehicles, and strict vehicle fitness checks will offer a sustainable solution to Delhi’s long-standing pollution crisis.

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