@drharshvardhan

The unprecedented country-wide lockdown enforced by the Govt of India to control the spread of COVID-19 will eventually have to be relaxed to facilitate easy flow of goods, services and the reinvigorate the economy. With the danger from the deadly virus still showing no signs of abating enabling a safe public transport system once the lockdown is relaxed is a challenge.

The CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) has formulated Guidelines for Public Transport and Feeder Modes considering Social Distancing Norms detailing safety measures for every mode of public transport. The guidelines were released by Union Minister for Science & Technology and Health & Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan, who said, “Post COVID-19, a new normal will develop in the society, setting new standards to live in a better way, in a scientific way which will eventually become Good Health Norms.”

According to CRRI’s report, currently there are around 10 cities with the operational metro network – a total network of more than 700 kilometres and about 525 metro stations. More than 1.6 million buses are registered in India, and the public bus sector operates 1,70,000 buses carrying roughly 7 crore people per day. After the lockdown, to control the spread of COVID-19, CSIR-CRRI suggests a combination of two different approaches: Redesigning facilities enabling social distancing and Reducing demand and capacity enhancement.

The first approach would involve measures like painted markings for social distancing around bus stops, footpaths, etc.; limited number of commuters inside bus/metro coach and separate lane for buses to improve the capacity of bus service.

The second approach would require reducing demand for public transport by encouraging short trips by non-motorised modes (bicycle) and intermediate public transport modes (cycle rickshaws, autos, etc.); shops/markets/offices having public dealings to be opened for a longer duration to avoid larger gathering and crowds, and staggered timings for office-goers.

In addition, CRRI has also suggested other measures to ensure social distancing, such as splitting zebra crossings into two parts for each direction or by marking two separate zebra crossings. This can control the spread between pedestrians by enabling social distancing at intersections. In E-Rickshaws, Autos, Taxis drivers are suggested to use plastic sheet for physical separation between driver and commuter as well as within commuters in case of auto/e-rickshaw/taxi. Short-length trips by intermediate public transport modes (rickshaws, autos, etc.) to be encouraged as well as a dedicated path lane should be allotted for faster movement of such vehicles.