IIT Kharagpur: Researchers conduct study on Travel during Covid-19 pandemic

A team of researchers from Ranbir and Chitra Gupta School of Infrastructure Design and Management (RCGSIDM) and Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Kharagpur has taken an initiative to conduct research on travel outlooks of Indian citizens during the latest pandemic of COVID-19. The research team studied over 3,400 replies received from more than 400 cities in 28 states and 4 Union Territories of India. The database covers respondents from varied sections of the society in terms of profession, income groups, and age groups. The study of data over a period of seven days (March 16 to March 23) showed that the share of respondents who chose to work from home increased gradually from less than 40 per cent to over 75 per cent.

The IIT Kharagpur study also reflected that a remarkable share of respondents was conscious of probable city quarantine and was getting ready for it. The Janata Curfew was a positive step for more consciousness and readiness about quarantine. It offered a doorway for the application of lockdown in various states. They also observed that the cognisance among the masses about the risk of travel in public transport has grown over time. This is probably on account of the strong campaigns done by the Governments and wide coverage of COVID-19 cases by the media. The study also displayed that on March 17, only about 60 per cent respondents were contemplating cancellation long-distance travel for several purposes.

However, the share grew to 75 per cent on March 22. Still, there were a remarkable number of people who were planning to travel. Approximately 20 per cent respondents expressed their wish to leave the current city of work in case of the declaration of city lockdown.

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