Expanding Urban Infrastructure and Addressing Accessibility Challenges in India

This article highlights the Indian government’s focus on urban development, particularly in the areas of housing, transportation, and accessibility. The Union Minister for Power, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, announced the successful completion of the initial goal of providing 1 crore homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), with plans for another 1 crore. He also emphasized the importance of expanding metro networks in cities with existing services, with proposals for new metro systems in Ambala, Ambala Cantonment, Yamunanagar, and Jagadhri under consideration. Additionally, 450 new buses will be added under the PM e-Bus Service to strengthen public transportation. However, the article also points out the ongoing challenges of accessibility in existing metro systems, citing examples from Bengaluru and Hyderabad, where infrastructure limitations and technical glitches continue to hinder smooth and accessible travel for commuters. The article concludes by discussing the construction of a second metro station at Z Chowk in Gurgaon to accommodate the upcoming Millennium City-Cyber City metro line, highlighting the need for strategic planning to address the growing demand for efficient and accessible urban transportation.