Chennai, renowned for its vibrant culture and bustling streets, faces significant challenges when it comes to mobility, as revealed by the recent Ease of Moving Index Chennai City Profile survey. Ranked 15th among 40 cities surveyed, Chennai grapples with issues such as poor last mile connectivity, inadequate fleet strength, and insufficient infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.
The findings were unveiled at the ‘Ease of Moving in Chennai: A Sustainable Mobility Dialogue’ conference, organized by the OMI Foundation in collaboration with IIT Madras. The year-long survey engaged 3,100 respondents, including women, trans/non-binary individuals, and persons with disabilities, within the expansive 426 square kilometers of Greater Chennai Corporation limits.
Despite boasting a robust and affordable public transport network, Chennai faces notable shortcomings, according to the survey. One key area of concern is the inadequacy of the city’s bus fleet. Currently, Chennai has less than 43.5 buses per lakh population, falling short of the recommended threshold of 50 buses per lakh or a total of 6,000 buses. Additionally, there is a pressing need for more low-floor buses to facilitate accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Aishwarya Raman, Executive Director of the OMI Foundation, emphasized the importance of addressing these deficiencies to enhance mobility and inclusivity within the city. She underscored the significance of augmenting the bus fleet and investing in infrastructure that prioritizes the safety and convenience of all residents, including vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities.