The city now has over 600 vehicles per 1,000 people, far higher than the national average of 22. The longer Covid-19 drags on, the more likely it is that people in the capital will turn to private modes of travel for safety.

While the economic slowdown might make it harder to buy new cars and bikes, car dealerships and platforms have greater demand for pre-owned vehicles.

Nevertheless, the metro is continuing to expand. Pai, though, believes the system has reached the stage of diminishing returns. “A new line is not going to bring as many benefits,” he says.

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