Ishika Verma

Education

Bachelor of Planning 

Area(s) of Interest:

Urban and Transportation planning

Road Safety Audit

Spatial Studies

Behavioural Studies

Arc GIS

R-Studio 

Background and Current Research

Ishika is currently pursuing an MS (Research) at the Transportation Research and Injury Prevention Centre (TRIPC), IIT Delhi. Her ongoing research focuses on “Quick Delivery Rider's Response to Heat Stress: A Case Study of South Delhi”, addressing the vulnerability of motorized two-wheeler riders engaged in quick delivery services, with a focus on their exposure to heat stress, unsafe road conditions, and occupational risks. The study further aims to propose evidence-based strategies to mitigate the impacts of extreme heat on quick delivery riders, thereby contributing to safer and more sustainable urban mobility systems.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Planning, where her thesis explored “The Working Conditions of Street Vendors and Their Role in Strengthening the Urban Economy: A Case Study of Puri.” Following this, she gained practical exposure during a year-long internship with the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation, where she collaborated with the Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department of Odisha on research, design, and fieldwork in Urban and Town Planning. 

Motivation for Research:

My interest in this research builds on my earlier work on urban informal livelihoods, including street vendors, where I became aware of the vulnerabilities faced by marginalized workers. During my internship with the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation, I gained exposure to urban governance and planning practices, which deepened my understanding of the need for inclusive policies. These experiences motivated me to study the growing, quick delivery workforce, focusing on their exposure to unsafe road conditions and extreme heat, with the aim of generating evidence-based insights that can inform planning and policy interventions for safer, more resilient urban mobility systems.

Year of Joining: 2024

Supervisor(s): 

Prof. Deepty Jain