Rapid economic growth has increased traffic in many Asian cities and produced harmful greenhouse emissions and toxic pollutants. The problem lowers living standards and costs Asian economies 2 to 5 per cent of GDP each year. About 44 million people are being added to Asia's cities every year, putting more pressure on transport systems.
In New Delhi authorities enforce strict vehicle rules and are removing older diesel and petrol cars; five million vehicles have been taken off the roads in two years, a reduction of about 35 per cent. The city is also introducing electric transport and expanding the Delhi Metro, which has 288 stations and 392 kilometres of track. In 2022 an average of 2.5 million passengers used the metro daily.
Other cities are taking different approaches. Bangkok is improving buses, extending the metro and using higher parking charges and inner-city tolls. The Philippines, with ADB support, is extending metro lines and building a major subway. Jakarta plans better rail–bus integration and electric fleets. Sensor technology, real-time maps and ride apps like Uber and Grab can help planners reduce emissions, but challenges remain large.
Difficult words
- emission — harmful gases released into the airemissions
- pollutant — substances that make air or water dangerouspollutants
- living standard — level of comfort and services people haveliving standards
- enforce — make people follow a law or rule
- reduce — make smaller in amount or sizereduction
- metro — an urban train system for many passengers
- integration — the act of joining parts into a whole
- toll — a small charge for using a road areatolls
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think expanding metro systems is a good solution for crowded cities? Why or why not?
- How could ride apps and real-time maps change transport in your city?
- Which measure from the article would you prefer to reduce pollution, and why?
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