Current World Environment

Modelling the Key Challenges for Adoption of Carpooling in the Indian Capital Megacity of Delhi

Abdullah Furqan ^* and Ayesha Farooq

¹ Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Management Studies and Research, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh India

Corresponding author Email: abdullahfurqan46@gmail.com

Abstract

The rapid growth of the transportation sector and rising private vehicle ownership reflect economic progress but have also triggered severe challenges such as congestion, air pollution, and public health risks in India’s urban megacities. Delhi, the national capital, is at the center of this looming mobility crisis. Carpooling or ride-sharing, widely adopted in several European countries, is emerging as a potential solution in India. However, its large-scale adoption faces persistent obstacles, including safety concerns, privacy issues, technological gaps, cultural resistance, and lack of regulatory support. While existing studies have examined these barriers in isolation, there remains a paucity of research that systematically explores their interrelationships and relative importance in the Indian context. To address this gap, this study employs Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) with the aid of 12 experts (a combination of current users and non-users) to map the hierarchical dependencies among the key challenges of carpooling in Delhi. The ISM analysis prioritizes the barriers into levels, identifying danger and fear of safety as the most fundamental driver influencing all other challenges. The model is further validated through MICMAC analysis, which classifies the challenges on the basis of the driving and dependence power. Beyond systematically structuring these challenges, the study also contributes by offering recommendations and an actionable roadmap for decision-makers, including policymakers, platform providers, corporate organizations, and civil society stakeholders. The roadmap emphasizes a phased strategy beginning with safety assurance, followed by trust-building, awareness creation, institutional support, and finally tackling inconsistent travel schedules to facilitate the sustainable adoption of carpooling in Delhi.

Keywords

Carpooling; Ride Sharing; Sustainable Transportation; Transportation Policy

Copy the following to cite this article:

Furqan A, Farooq A. Modelling the Key Challenges for Adoption of Carpooling in the Indian Capital Megacity of Delhi. Curr World Environ 2026;21(2).

Copy the following to cite this URL:

Furqan A, Farooq A. Modelling the Key Challenges for Adoption of Carpooling in the Indian Capital Megacity of Delhi. Curr World Environ 2026;21(2).

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