Imagine one day you woke up and sat down to have your favorite hot filter coffee while trying read thru the morning newpaper. Later you realized coffee has spilled on your clothes after reading these headlines. A miracle that you can believe to be true.

The newspaper provides the actual reasons for such reduction in pollution. They makes it clear that it was possible only due to citizen's uncompromising stand on having sustainable choices in daily commute for last 10 years. The more interesting stats again points to this became possible only due to city residents, administrators and government in deciding to opt for mass transit system like Commuter/Suburban Train system.

Is this possible? Yes, this news need not be an imaginary situation in the minds of few CRS enthusiasts. When one does a analysis of impact of mass transit system like commuter/suburban train system, the above painted scenario looks almost true and is possible. Let's take a look at how CRS would impact on decongestion and environment in short and longer run.

DE-CONGESTION

Namma Railu – Phase wise outcomes and cost (Per RITES Report)

Source – 2012 RITES Report

If we translate these outcomes in terms of those many LESS private vehicles on road, this what it looks like

NOTE: The number of public transport commuter trips have been assumed to remain constant @ 4.5 millions.

If other efforts to decongest city gets executed and completed on time, we are looking for city roads to look like this,

Impact on the Environment

We all know inefficiency of fuel consumption of 2-wheelers and cars in comparison to Bus and Trains. This gets more interesting in urban commute space.

In terms of CO2 that is emitted from different vehicles then defines the overall sustainability of the transport system that is operated in the city. Here is a rough estimates of CO2 emissions from 2 Wheeler, Car and Commuter Rail System (CRS).

2 Wheeler - 26 gms of CO2 per person per KM.

Car - 227 gms of CO2 per person per KM

Commuter Train - 22 gms of CO2 per person per KM

If we extrapolate these for the different phases of CRS, in terms of total commuter trips, this is what it would look like,

 These numbers and comparative figures adds to the benefits of having mass transit system to sustain the growth and development of the region around Bengaluru. Among the benefits, decongestion and environment impact must be taken into consideration at a higher level than economic benefits. The environmental impacts directly translates into public health and productivity.