Creative ways to turn India’s traffic chaos into business opportunities

I recently read this blog post by Olacabs which got me thinking about how to turn the traffic problem in India into business opportunities.

Photo credit: Independent UK

Vehicle ownership in India is rising and will continue to rise. Pollution follows suit. Rather than dreading the situation, let’s get down to the business opportunities that can arise from the situation.

Food and grocery delivery services

Delivering breakfast or dinner to commuters who are stuck in traffic jams seems like a fairly unexplored opportunity in India.

There are usually individuals who use the same route at the same time and spend their time stuck in the same traffic jam every working day. These are potential customers for the modern professional with no time to have breakfast at home. Also, this would be a boon for individuals who do not have the time to or know how to cook.

Healthy options will get even more attention from commuters due rising health consciousness among working professionals. This will require some design modifications so the customer can enjoy the food while driving. Food that does not make a mess and is easy to eat will be a perfect pick-me-up at traffic spots.

Relief drivers

Another interesting idea would be to catch a quick rest while commuting by hiring a relief driver. With the traffic situation worsening day by day in India’s major cities, this could be an interesting opportunity to explore.

Cab drivers need to sink in a big investment for their vehicles. All this needs are experienced drivers with relevant licenses, and commuters can move to the back seat. Focus on what matters most during your commute and let these relief drivers take care of the rest.

Radio shows and podcasts

This is perfect for radio addicts, since commuters will need entertainment when spending hours on the road. Naysayers in the industry who say that radio is dying have yet again been proved wrong.

Targeted content is another platform which has not yet been explored in radio. Radio needs to expand to the digital domain. They have the talent and the content, and all they need would be a digital outlet to reach out to listeners. And we can be sure of the return of podcasts. Targeted content for niche markets will definitely be appreciated by listeners and advertisers alike.

Conversation has already started on this with an analysis of the success of podcasts and major investments are being made by public radio stations into producing podcasts,  NPR being a prime example.

Providing alternative transportation

During the massive 100km long traffic jam in Beijing in 2010, a queer development unfolded. Enterprising souls started offering to whisk car drivers away on their bikes for a small price.

This was especially useful for those in a hurry, such as students going to sit for their exams, professionals going for important meetings, and job hunters going for their interviews.

This has helped some bike owners make a quick buck. Since the traffic jams lasted for months, it turned into a pleasantly surprising source of revenue for many bike owners in Beijing.

Real time route planning services

Work from home solutions

Sale of car accessories

Cultivating healthy habits

Car pooling apps