Impact Assessment of Introducing High Speed Rail on CO2 Emissions in India

Abstract

High Speed Rail (HSR) plays a significant role in economic urbanization and environmental impacts. India is also debating on the importance and impacts of HSR on climate. HSR is already operational in several countries today and a total of 12 HSR corridors are already planned in India, of which the construction of the Mumbai – Ahmedabad corridor is already underway. Even though there are several studies in literature in the context of various countries related to the impact of HSR on CO2 emissions, however such studies are very limited in Indian context. Keeping in mind that passenger travel is a major human activity contributing to CO2 emissions, the prime objective of this research is to study the impacts of HSR on CO2 emissions in Indian corridors. Hence a study of the Bengaluru – New Delhi corridor is taken. The hypothesis of the study is that introduction of HSR between Bengaluru – New Delhi will reduce CO2 emissions. Revealed Preference and Stated Preference survey was conducted using interview method for the purpose of data collection. Percentage shift of passengers from air travel to HSR was calculated. Thereafter the percentage reduction in CO2 emissions was calculated using emission factors from literature. It was found that there is a percentage reduction in CO2 emissions for all HSR options, and more so for the HSR option with night journey (with speed of 200 kmph) and moderate fare levels equivalent to the Rajdhani Express 2nd AC fares and that of a half day or night journey (with speed of 350 kmph) with fares equivalent to that of the Rajdhani 1st AC fare. The study suggests different possible options to introduce HSR in India that can reduce CO2 emissions from passenger travel and can help the Indian Government with some policy decision support.