[sustran] Urban Traffic_Citizens' Perspective

[Sujit Patwardhan]

1 April 2002

Personal and confidential: Please do not send to others as this is still 
not published
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Dear Kisanbhai,
We need to mobilize citizens to oppose these anti-people projects being 
steamrolled by decision makers with help from chosen "experts". I think 
your messages in the Sustran fraternity were very effective and though all 
of them have their own pet topics for debating (mostly related to the 
experience of the first world) the key people are certainly interested in 
what we are saying from this part of the globe.
In Pune things are going much better than I would have guessed a year or 
two back. Though the perspective hasn't changed, the mounting evidence and 
pressure from the common people is beginning to have its effect even if minute.
On 31 March the major paper Sakal (owned by Sharad Pawar) organised a cycle 
rally from four or five different points in the city converging at the New 
English School on Tilak Road. I joined the batch starting from the Pune 
University (distance of 4.5 Km to NE School) and was surprised to see the 
newly elected Mayor of Pune Dipti Chowdhary, Pratap Pawar MD Sakal, and 
many other "dignitaries" who normally keep a safe distance from such 
"environmentalist's  pet projects".
There was a big crowd at the NE School as groups from all other parts of 
the city had also reached the grounds. Leaders made speeches of how Pune 
has always spearheaded all major movements and in the fight against 
pollution too it will take the lead. Following demands/statements were made 
from the dais by all who spoke:
-- Cycle more for health and less pollution
-- Reduce the use of personal vehicles
--Improve public transport (though some of the leaders have an eye on the 
SkyBus golden goose)
-- Open up the riverbed road (stayed by us through court action) for 
cyclists ... which is an excellent idea.

Sakal is now talking about organizing such a cycle rallies on the last 
Sunday of each month and also seems keen on the the concept of a CarFree 
day as part of the World Environment Day Celebrations on 5th June 2002.

Too good to be true?
Sure but it did happen.

Politicians don't mean everything they say?
True but they did say these things which means our views can no longer be 
ignored and at least need to be paid lip service to.

The media is also beginning to give space to our perspective on traffic.

I am enclosing a write up showing our perspective... as part of the 
exhibition I'm preparing.
I would be happy if you could let me have your views comments, criticism 
etc as soon as possible.

With warm regards,
--
Sujit






At 01:57 PM 4/1/02 +0530, you wrote:

>Dear Sustran Colleagues,
>
>We give hereunder a report published in the Times of India 
>on           the longest elevated road-flyover- that the government 
>is        constructing in Mumbai.   The govt has constructed more 
>than            50 flyovers in last three years in Mumbai creating 
>irreparable     damage to the residents.  That the flyovers etc would 
>also             cause problems to motorists, for whom these are built at an

etc etc etc.






-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sujit Patwardhan.
PARISAR,
Yamuna, ICS Colony, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune 411 007
Tel: 5537955
Email: sujit at vsnl.com
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In nature there are neither Rewards nor Punishments---
there are Consequences.
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