Mobility and Inequality in Delhi University
An exploratory study examining the commuting experiences of 155 students at Delhi University, revealing how transportation challenges disproportionately affect women and economically marginalized students.
About This Study
This study examines whether Delhi's public transport system meets the needs of Delhi University students on four key dimensions: accessibility, safety, affordability, and dignity. Through surveys and focus group discussions with 155 students, the research reveals:
Key Findings
- 72% of women reported that buses do not stop for them, with 51% saying this happens frequently
- 68% of respondents are students from outside Delhi living on limited budgets
- 56% spend one hour or more commuting each way
- 53% spend ₹1,000 or more monthly on transport
- 55% of women face harassment or discriminatory comments from drivers, conductors, or fellow passengers
- 62% are dissatisfied with the quality of their chosen mode of transport
Study Methodology
The research combines quantitative surveys with qualitative focus group discussions, including a dedicated session with visually impaired women students, examining:
- Economic status and monthly commuting expenditure
- Transport mode selection priorities (cost, safety, time, availability)
- First and last mile connectivity challenges
- Safety experiences including harassment and discrimination
- Infrastructure quality at bus stops and metro stations
- Financial burden of metro fares
Core Arguments
The study demonstrates that transportation is not merely about getting from point A to point B—it fundamentally shapes who can participate in university life, who stays late for debates, who attends cultural events, and who accesses the full educational experience.
For women especially, safety concerns force them to leave campus before dark, limiting their participation in extracurricular activities. For economically marginalized students, the choice between living near campus at high rent or commuting long distances from affordable areas creates a systematic exclusion from full university participation.
Recommendations
The report proposes a comprehensive student mobility policy framework including:
- Universal student transport card with discounted fares for both buses and metro
- Expansion of bus fleet and rationalization of routes based on student commuting patterns
- Improved infrastructure at bus stops (lighting, safety, frequency)
- Gender sensitivity training for transport staff
- Hiring women staff on routes with high student ridership
- Improved first and last mile connectivity
- Institutional inclusion of student representatives in transport planning
Citation
Yadav, Gayatri (2026). कैंपस तक का सफ़र: दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय में आवागमन और असमानता [Journey to Campus: Mobility and Inequality in Delhi University]. Public Transport Forum, New Delhi.
License
This report is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) license. You may share and adapt the work, provided appropriate credit is given and any derivative work is distributed under the same terms.