[Answered] “Transitioning from road to rail transport is vital for India’s environmental goals and economic growth, given transport’s significant GHG emissions.” Analyze how this modal shift can simultaneously aid climate change mitigation and bring economic benefits to India, outlining necessary policy and infrastructure interventions.

Introduction

India’s transport sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 14% of the country’s total emissions, with road transport being the largest source. In this context, a modal shift from road to rail transport is not just an environmental imperative but also a significant opportunity to catalyze economic growth and enhance infrastructure efficiency. Globally, trains are far cleaner and more energy-efficient than road or air transport, making railways central to achieving India’s Net Zero target by 2070.

Environmental Benefits of Modal Shift

1. Drastic Emission Reduction: Trains emit only 19 g of CO₂ per passenger-km, compared to 148 g for cars and 123 g for airplanes. Freight carried by rail is 4 to 6 times more energy-efficient than road transport.
2. Climate Change Mitigation: Shifting passengers and freight to rail could prevent up to 1.8 billion tons of carbon emissions globally by 2050. The Delhi Metro, for instance, helped remove over 5 lakh vehicles from the roads daily in 2021, reducing CO₂ by at least 23.82 g per km.
3. Cleaner Air and Urban Health: Reducing vehicular emissions helps in improving air quality in polluted urban centers like Delhi and Mumbai.

Economic and Developmental Gains

1. Cost-Efficiency: Rail is more economical for long-distance freight, helping reduce logistics costs which are 14% of India’s GDP (compared to 8–10% in developed countries).
2. Decongestion and Safety: Fewer vehicles on roads mean reduced traffic congestion, lower accident rates, and better productivity.
3. Job Creation and Green Financing: Infrastructure expansion in railways generates employment. Modal shift can help India earn carbon credits, which can fund green projects, provided international compliance is ensured.
4. Boost to Urban Mobility: Metro systems in Indian cities are helping increase rail modal share. Mumbai’s metro and monorail modal share is expected to rise from 2% to 36%, reducing private vehicle use significantly.

Necessary Policy and Infrastructure Interventions

1. Implementation of the National Rail Plan (NRP): The NRP aims to raise the freight modal share to 45% by 2030, with a focus on Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs).
2. Invest in Passenger Rail Infrastructure: Expand semi-high-speed and metro rail networks in urban and inter-city corridors. Ensure last-mile connectivity to make rail travel seamless.
3. Electrification and Renewable Energy Integration: Accelerate electrification of railways and ensure the power is derived from clean sources (solar, wind), not coal.
4. Policy Incentives: Encourage modal shift through green logistics policy, fiscal incentives for rail freight users, and penalties for over-reliance on trucks.
5. Carbon Credit Strategy: Create a transparent framework to balance domestic emission reductions and international trading of carbon credits, avoiding double counting.

Conclusion

A modal shift from road to rail is a strategic necessity for India’s twin objectives: combatting climate change and ensuring sustainable economic growth. With coordinated policy efforts, smart investments, and clean energy integration, India can turn its vast railway network into a model of green transition — aligning national development with global climate commitments.