Urban News

Source : The Hindu Date : 26.06.2009

NHAI turns down VMC proposal

Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA: Creation of a dedicated corridor on NH 5 for plying special coaches of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) is unlikely, as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) reportedly turned down the proposal.

The NHAI authorities, at a meeting chaired by Municipal Commissioner P.S. Pradyumna recently, have expressed their inability to dedicate a lane on NH 5 for BRTS coaches for a range of reasons, including non-availability of space and high volume of traffic, according to sources in the NHAI.

Six-lane road

The VMC hoped that the dedicated corridor could be a possibility as the NH 5 would, in any case, be converted into a six-lane road. But the NHAI authorities are learnt to have told the VMC officials that a dedicated corridor would not be possible even if the existing four-lane road was converted into a six-lane one.

The VMC planned to use the green belts and service roads on NH-5 for plying the BRTS coaches.

But, it is learnt that the NHAI did not accept even this proposal. Alternatively, NHAI authorities suggested to the VMC to opt for mixed traffic on NH 5. In simple words, this means that the BRTS coaches would have to travel for a distance of 4.5 km on the national highway along with other vehicles, as a result of which the speed of the special coaches is likely to come down, as it is directly dependent on the traffic on the highway.

The users of NH 5 already face problems of traffic snarls and jams, especially at Benz Circle. The NHAI’s negative response watered down the hopes of the VMC regarding pooling of funds as well.

The VMC officials mooted an argument that the NHAI would have to chip in with its own contribution for the BRTS project by developing the 4.5-km-long stretch of the NH 5.

The NHAI may have to spend about Rs. 50 lakhs for development of each kilometre of the corridor. Besides this, the burden of expenditure on the development of bus bays, bus stops and Foot over Bridges (FoBs) would also have to be shouldered by the NHAI, the VMC argued.

As per a plan prepared by the VMC, BRTS coaches enter the NH 5 near Ramavarappadu ring road and take a right turn near Benz Circle before covering areas like Veterinary Colony, Vinayaka theatre junction, Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, Ramesh Hospital junction and Maris Stella College.

The proposed pilot corridor, which is being referred to in official circles as ‘green corridor’, is a 15.5-km circular route

Source : The Hindu Date : 25.06.2009

Two city projects may get the nod

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Broadway and Ernakulam Market urban renewal and a sewerage project for West Kochi will come up before the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission soon.

The detailed project reports (DPR) of these projects were submitted to the mission authorities earlier. The projects are likely to come up for consideration during the first week of July.

West Kochi to benefit

The corporation has submitted a detailed project report for Rs. 30 crore for the Broadway and Ernakulam market renovation programme. It is under the heritage component of the mission that Kochi city is seeking support for its key business and heritage area.

A sewerage project for catering to the demands of West Kochi has also been awaiting the clearance from the mission authorities.

The civic authorities have submitted a project report for Rs.80 crore for the sewerage project.

A redesigning of the Broadway Street has been proposed under the Broadway project. The physical changes proposed are “redoing the ground cover over the re-laid underground cable services and also creating a roof over the public street.”

As the Ernakulam market forms the core of the heritage zone, the civic authorities plan to revitalise the market into a modern facility without “damaging the scale and essential character of the architectural ensemble”.

Waste disposal

A proper strategy for waste handling and management will also be put in place, says the project report.

The renovation of the pond in the area and the waterway to the pond has also been proposed to be taken up.

Plans are also afoot to develop the Market Square as the “public face of the development project.” The authorities plan to implement the project on a private-public participation mode. Once developed, the place will function as a “fully pedestrianised shopping, passive recreation area and vendor rehabilitation zone.”

The sewerage project for West Kochi has been planned in two stages. In the first stage, the establishment of the project would cost Rs. 41 crore and Rs. 33 crore in the second stage.

A sewage treatment plant will come up at Mundamveli and this would cost Rs. 15.5 crore. The plant with 23 million litres per day capacity is expected to address the sewage treatment requirements of the area to a considerable extent.