Modes of transport, basic amenities and wellbeing: Findings from Delhi City

Abstract

The main concern of this paper is to examine the nature of the relationship between wellbeing levels, access to basic amenities and the mode of transport used by urban residents. Based on a stratified random sample survey in Delhi, the findings are indicative of gross inequality in many areas. A large percentage of the sample households is located in the bottom two size classes of the Wellbeing Index constructed on the basis of a number of indicators. At the same time, several of them do not have access to public transport: they either walk or use cycles to commute to their destination on a daily basis. Though public transport is usually said to be inexpensive, meagre earnings compel many low-income households to reside near the workplace, causing increased constraint in certain pockets. Besides, as women’s participation in the labour market is in addition to their household jobs, they reveal a strong preference for working in their neighbourhood, indicating a stronger nexus between workplace and the place of residence. Such convergences have serious repercussions on the urban ecosystem and also on the health of the individuals.