The speedy growth of India's urban population has
put massive pressure on all transport systems. Growing travel demand exceeds
the limited supply of transport infrastructure and services. Public transport, in
particular, has been completely overwhelmed.
Gurgaon is a fast emerging suburb of Delhi, the
national capital of India. The city offers world class business opportunities
particularly for IT and related industries. Public transport supply in the city
is characterized by array of modes ranging from two seated manually driven
cycle rickshaws to fifty seated buses compatible with local conditions and
demand patterns available for use. The level of blending of the two types of
systems in a city is determined by the prevailing city’s socio economic fabric,
travel patterns and road network.
It is very important for us to understand the annoyances,
risks and costs incurred on cab and bus fleets that companies are forced to run
to compensate for the absence of walking, cycling and city bus infrastructure.
We should aim to create awareness and encourage
people to choose sustainable transport over personal vehicles. There is an
urgent need to catalyse the creation of high quality footpaths, cycle paths and
public transport alternatives. If our industry is able to create enough ‘force
& demand’ infrastructure it will further encourage the Govt. to look into
these asks and provide continued support. Over the last few months, various workshops
for HR Admin & Transport managers have been organized in various companies.
Companies are making efficient use of public transport & have also been
able to drastically reduce their fleet size. Through these repeated
interventions, the message of walking, cycling, and using public transport on a
more frequent basis is being spread. Going forward we should all plan to conduct -
company sensitization programs regarding use of public transport, cycling
rallies heavily participated by employees of IT-BPM industry and pay more
emphasis on the last mile connectivity.
The IT-BPM industry comprises of a fair share of challenges; one of the
most important being safety to its employees and in particular women employees.
This industry is already familiar with the facts & stands poised to provide
adequate safety & security to its employees. They have shown strong
commitment towards providing for Safe and secure working environment to all of
their employees especially women employees. As a routine practice, this
industry as a whole maintains, manages and upgrades comprehensive security
program across regions which is indicative of its commitment to the cause.
Organizations have
also understood the importance of ‘active commuting’. NASSCOM had organized
“CEO’s Walk to Work” which was attended by over 500 executives from the IT-BPM
industry - signifying that top corporate professionals can walk & inspire their
fellow colleagues to follow their steps. Similar ‘green’ initiatives by other
corporates in the future will increase the awareness and willingness of the
workforce to take the choice of opting for more environment friendly ways of
commuting.
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