The gang rape of a woman in a running bus in Delhi caused a nationwide furore and even featured in BBC news. It stresses the urgent need for ensuring greater safety for women in public transport. Policing is of course a prime necessity. But along with that there should be an official and reliable public transport system coupled with measures to tone up infrastructure such as proper lighting. But in most Indian cities, the system is seriously flawed. Buses traveling by night have to do so at a reasonable speed. That is essential for connectivity in personal as well as professional life. Such buses promote the economy and ensure safety under city lights. According to a US study, a million dollars invested in public transport increase labour income by $ 1.6 million, add $ 1.8 million to the GDP and generate $4,90,000 in taxes. Indian cities suffer greatly from the lack of smooth linkage and buses at night can bridge the gap significantly.
If public transport is efficiently run, cities are freed from congestion and snarl-ups. The cost of doing business comes down and so do travel time and the cost of commuters. In India, the emphasis has so far been only on urban public transport. Instead of ensuring safety for women, it is stupidly argued that they should stay home at night. Most commuters are left at the mercy of petty operators enjoying political patronage and taking in some criminal elements. The JNNURM is supposed to have contributed to the public transport system in urban cities. But it has made little progress so far. The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system has been installed only half-heartedly. The government should put in adequate funds to ensure smooth and safe public transport networks. Otherwise there will be many more Nirbhaya cases.