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City's 16% use public transport

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The Times of India - Chandigarh 31.07.2009

City's 16% use public transport

CHANDIGARH: Only a few decades ago, 36 sq km was acquired to develop Phase I of the city. Today, Chandigarh has 487 km of roads and some of the busiest intersections witness close to 1.5 lakh vehicles crossing path every single day. And only 16% motorized trips are being made using public transport.

These disturbing facts have been revealed in an extensive traffic study conducted by RITES to get a sense of chaos that Chandigarh and its adjoining areas could witness in the year 2041 if the present transit habits prevail.

But there is a silver lining — 45% commuters would willingly shift to a new improved public transport system, even at a fare that’s 1.25 to 1.5 times higher than the prevailing bus charges. Given the rising concern about inadequate parking space and the unsettling increase in pollution, this indeed assumes significance.

The comprehensive mobility report submitted to UT administration highlights that given only 16% commuters ride on public vehicles, there is a need to provide a better system. The share of two-wheelers and cars in travel is a whopping 73% of the total trips, which, RITES says, is disturbingly high and needs to be arrested. A reflection of this is the fact that where the average household income per month is Rs 15,890, the standard expenditure on transport per household is Rs 1,590 for the same period. About 24% of the journeys are made for work and business purposes.

Not just this, household traffic surveys indicate high ownership of cars and two-wheelers in Chandigarh. About 86% households own at least one car or two-wheeler. In the absence of city-wide and high quality mass transport system, their use is growing. The survey also indicates high share of work trips and this segment of traffic demand needs to be mostly satisfied by public transport system.

A senior UT official said given the growing consciousness about judicious fuel consumption and improved quality of public transport, there is a change in the mindset in favour of buses.

In the report, RITES has also shared a thought for walkers and has pointed out that even though there is high pedestrian traffic in the heart of the city and some other parts, footpath facilities are generally not adequate and their condition is deteriorating. Besides, the share of cycle traffic has declined over the years and this green mode of transport needs to be promoted by providing tracks along the roads.

As part of suggested solutions, the short-term measures or low-cost solutions would be attempted through maximum utilization of existing facilities through Transport System Management techniques.

To highlight the overdependence on private transit, RITES took a count of vehicles crossing from different locations. For instance, on Vidya Path between sectors 14 and 15, if a total of 43,884 private vehicles passed during the day, then the figure for public ones was only 13,705.

The consultancy arm of Indian Railways also checked the feasibility of constructing multi-level parking lots at sites identified by UT.

Finance secretary Sanjay Kumar said about 1.2 acre at the back of Sahib Singh block, Sector 17, is being upgraded as a multilevel parking and work had been assigned to the municipal corporation.
 

Municipal Commissioners pledge support for streamlining traffic

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Source : The Hindu Date : 09.07.2009

Municipal Commissioners pledge support for streamlining traffic

Staff Reporter

Superintendent of Police reviews traffic problems

GUNTUR: With the district police taking the initiative in streamlining traffic in 11 municipalities and in Guntur Municipal Corporation, the Municipal Commissioners pledged their support to the police during a meeting organised in the city on Wednesday.

Superintendent of Police Shankha Brata Bagchi, who accorded high priority to traffic by visiting some of the municipalities in the peak hours to get a feel of the traffic scenario had also taken the initiative of penning an action plan for effective traffic management in those towns.

The SP who visited Bapatla on Tuesday, reviewed the traffic problems along with Municipal Commissioner Niranjan Reddy. Following the request of the Commissioner to relocate the Bus Bay on the premises of Old Bus Stand, the SP said that the issue could be taken up with the APSRTC, Regional Manager during the next Crime Review Meeting.

He also suggested that the auto stand at Tenali could be relocated and wanted similar measures taken at Macharla and Sattenapalli. He sought the cooperation of the municipal staff in clearing the encroachments on the main roads. “We have identified major traffic junction points at Mangalagiri, Sattenapalli and other towns and now giving an action plan for the municipalities to be implemented,” the SP added. Earlier, presiding over the meeting, Municipal Commissioner K. Ilambarthi asked the municipal commissioners to expedite execution of various works under the 12th Finance Commission grants. He said that most of the municipalities were lagging behind and warned that the funds could be taken back by Government. Regional Joint Director Karuna Chandra Babu said that sanctions for all the works had been released.

Last Updated on Thursday, 09 July 2009 08:17
 

No new permits for autorickshaws in city

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Source : The Hindu Date : 28.06.2009

No new permits for autorickshaws in city

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: A decision has been taken not to grant any more permits for autorickshaws in the city. The reason behind the decision was to check congestion and pollution.

Speaking to presspersons, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who chaired a meeting of Ministers and officers on Saturday, said the Government had taken into account the views of experts and citizens in this regard. A 3,000-acre plot would be earmarked on the outskirts of the city to dispose of solid waste. He said 40 plots in the city had been identified for parking vehicles, and the BBMP would develop the sites for the purpose. The racecourse in the city would be shifted to the outskirts at the earliest.

A mini-Lalbagh, a hospital and a bus stand would be built at the Central Relief Committee (Beggars’ Colony) on Magadi Road after shifting it to a place on the outskirts of the city. The meeting discussed the possibility of developing the Devika Rani Roerich Estate (Tataguni Estate) on Kanakapura Road. He said a case connected to the estate was before the Supreme Court, and a decision would be arrived at based on the directions of the court.

Swajaladhara

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Shobha Karandlaje said that she was leaving for the U.S. to meet World Bank officials seeking extension of the Swajaladhara scheme beyond December this year. She said the State Government was seeking an assistance of Rs.1,500 crore for the project.

Last Updated on Sunday, 28 June 2009 12:20
 


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