Times of India 23.07.2009
CAG report cites poor coordination for Chennai's traffic woes
CHENNAI: The inadequate number of traffic policemen, non-synchronisation of existing signals, non-implementation of scientific systems like area traffic control and ineffective monitoring through CCTVs were affecting the enforcement of traffic rules in Chennai, said a report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General that was placed in the assembly on Tuesday.
Though five agencies were responsible for traffic improvement, road construction and road safety, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) responsible for planning and urban development had no power to coordinate the work of the other agencies or to monitor plan implementation while the Chennai Corporation, the traffic police and the highways and transport departments were responsible for traffic improvement, road construction and road safety, it said.
"Though several agencies coordinate the implementation of the traffic and transportation schemes, the coordination among these agencies is very limited as they don't have financial and administrative powers. The Chennai Corporation, on its own, decides and builds structures like flyovers and subways that were not among those identified under the Chennai Metropolitan Development Programme (CMDP), Comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Study 2004, etc., finalised by the CMDA. This resulted in non-synchronisation of CMDP plans and also showed the lack of coordination among the agencies,'' it added.
Pointing out that the projected population of the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) would be 88.20 lakh by 2011, the report said road accidents had increased from 4,202 in 2003 to 6,892 in 2007 as road infrastructure and the road safety measures in place within the CMA were inadequate. While the increase in road space was just 3-4% during 1984-2004, the increase in vehicle population worked out to 1,060% during the period, it added.
The report also said that 10 of 25 prioritised road works were not sanctioned as of April 2008. As many as 48 road-widening works were held up due to non-shifting of electric poles and junction boxes despite payment of Rs 11.72 crore as shifting charges to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board. Though funds were allocated under the CMDP during 2004-08 for the Chennai Traffic Police towards infrastructure development, no amount was sanctioned by the government as of March 2008.
"Inadequate parking facilities and prioritised subways, non-provision of separate cycle track, encroachment of footpaths contributed to the deficient road development works and traffic management measures in the CMA,'' the CAG noted.
About 27% of the accidents in Chennai occurred on national highways and 73% on other roads. Accident of cars and jeeps accounted for 30%, followed by two-wheelers with 28%, the CAG added.
Though five agencies were responsible for traffic improvement, road construction and road safety, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) responsible for planning and urban development had no power to coordinate the work of the other agencies or to monitor plan implementation while the Chennai Corporation, the traffic police and the highways and transport departments were responsible for traffic improvement, road construction and road safety, it said.
"Though several agencies coordinate the implementation of the traffic and transportation schemes, the coordination among these agencies is very limited as they don't have financial and administrative powers. The Chennai Corporation, on its own, decides and builds structures like flyovers and subways that were not among those identified under the Chennai Metropolitan Development Programme (CMDP), Comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Study 2004, etc., finalised by the CMDA. This resulted in non-synchronisation of CMDP plans and also showed the lack of coordination among the agencies,'' it added.
Pointing out that the projected population of the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) would be 88.20 lakh by 2011, the report said road accidents had increased from 4,202 in 2003 to 6,892 in 2007 as road infrastructure and the road safety measures in place within the CMA were inadequate. While the increase in road space was just 3-4% during 1984-2004, the increase in vehicle population worked out to 1,060% during the period, it added.
The report also said that 10 of 25 prioritised road works were not sanctioned as of April 2008. As many as 48 road-widening works were held up due to non-shifting of electric poles and junction boxes despite payment of Rs 11.72 crore as shifting charges to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board. Though funds were allocated under the CMDP during 2004-08 for the Chennai Traffic Police towards infrastructure development, no amount was sanctioned by the government as of March 2008.
"Inadequate parking facilities and prioritised subways, non-provision of separate cycle track, encroachment of footpaths contributed to the deficient road development works and traffic management measures in the CMA,'' the CAG noted.
About 27% of the accidents in Chennai occurred on national highways and 73% on other roads. Accident of cars and jeeps accounted for 30%, followed by two-wheelers with 28%, the CAG added.