The Times of India 25.01.2014
Corporation proposes to reclaim city for pedestrians
COIMBATORE: Life in the city is set for a makeover. One may get to cycle safely or enjoy a breezy walk and shop in exclusive pedestrian zones proposed in the commercial and congested areas near Big Bazaar Street in the near future. Greenways (walking and cycle tracks along the lakes) and footpaths should help pedestrians reclaim the city from motor vehicles.
All these and more have been promised in the final draft of transport improvement proposals prepared by city corporation and presented in Chennai at a meet of municipal administration officials on Thursday. The draft was prepared after brainstorming and discussions among corporation officials and experts here in November.
The proposals seek to overhaul the transport system in the city. As part of enhancing the non-motorised transport in the city, public transport will be re-hauled and road space increased. Coimbatore Municipal Corporation (CMC) and the Commissionerate of Municipal Administration in Chennai are to implement these proposals in a phased manner over five years.
"Priority will to build cycle tracks and footpaths. The civic budget will provide allocations and, if required, the proposals could be implemented through ongoing schemes like the Integrated Urban Development Mission," said Phanindra Reddy, secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department.
Footpaths, pedestrian zones, cycle tracks, greenways are to be readied in the first two years. A cycle sharing system has been proposed, which will be integrated with the mass rapid transit system that is to be implemented in the city. The corporation will construct footpaths on NSR Road up to Mettupalayam Road (1.8km), Eru Company to Avinashi Lingam Power House (4km), T V Samy Street to Mettupalayam Road (1.2 km) and from Cowley Brown Street Intersection to Sundaram Street Point on D B Road (1.6km). Pedestrian zones are planned on a 1.1-km stretch on Big Bazaar Street. "Alternate parking spots will have to be provided where people could halt their vehicles and walk for shopping and other purposes," said S Sivarasu, deputy commissioner, CMC.
Four exclusive cycle tracks have been proposed for 34 km covering Race Course, Vilankurichi Road, Masakalipalayam, CODISSIA and Kalapatti. There are plans to construct greenways at Valankulam, Ukkadam Periakulam and Sanganur Canal. A cycle sharing network spanning 19 sq km with at least 2,000 cycles at 100 bicycle hiring stations at major places including Gandhipuram, Saibaba Colony, Ukkadam and Puliyakulam has also been proposed. Public could hire cycles from one point and drop it elsewhere for a nominal fee. The initiative is expected to cut down the number of motorised two and three wheelers on the roads.
"It is a welcome move to have cycle tracks and pedestrian zones in congested areas in Oppanakara Street. We hope it will be properly conceptualised and implemented," said D Balasundaram, chairman, City Technical Advisory Group (CTAG), CMC.
The design of the project is estimated to cost Rs 5.6 crore and Rs 139 crore is the likely to be the construction expense.
As part of re-hauling the motorised transport in the city, a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), exclusive and segregated lanes for buses alone, is to be implemented over two phases in five years at the cost of Rs 1,500 crore, with 72 km in the first phase and 25 km in the second phase. Ukkadam will be the main hub with corridors to Perianaickenpalayam, Saravanampatti, Neelambur and Ondipudur.
