The Times of India 03.09.2010
Bypasses, subways to ease flow of traffic
CHANDIGARH: Traffic woes in the Tricity and adjoining areas would hopefully be a thing of the past with construction of bypasses for vehicular movement in and out of Chandigarh and subways for pedestrians. Urban Metropolitan Transport Authority would soon be constituted based on the Ministry of urban development's recommendation.
The introduction of mass rapid transit system, a prerequisite for the Metro Rail project, would be one of the key issues that would be tackled by the Authority.
In its report to UT, RITES had also suggested that an agency in the form of a Regional & Urban Transport Development Board ( RUTDB) be formed on the lines of NCR Planning Board under Government of India. The respective state governments and Centre Government agencies concerned - Railways and NHAI - might be its members. This Board could coordinate the planning and implementation of transport proposals within the region as well as the urban complex and resolve any inter-state transport problems. This was on the basis of a traffic study that covered the transportation problems of Chandigarh Urban Complex comprising Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. The impact of traffic from neighbouring towns was also taken into consideration. The extended study region consisted of Zirakpur, Kharar, Dera Bassi in Punjab, Alipur-Kot Behla Complex, Kalka-Pinjore Complex in Haryana and Parwanoo and Baddi in Himachal Pradesh.
