[sustran] FW: Citizens Trannsport Project for Mumbai and MUTP

[Paul Barter]

This will be of interest to sustran-discuss folks I think. Some may be
in a position to offer advice to Kisan and his colleagues in Mumbai?
Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: kisan mehta [mailto:kisansbc at vsnl.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, 29 May 2002 12:09 PM
To: Clean Air Initiative -- Asia
Cc: ...
Subject: [cai-asia] Re: Fwd: Air quality modeling


Dear Clean Air Asia Colleagues,

On receiving Dr Masum Karim's email  informing on his work in ambient
air quality area, we forwarded our query to him.  He has suggested that
we 
should get in touch with our Clean Air Asia colleagues for the
information 
and guidance we are seeking.

We give below our query and his reply. We request our colleagues to
advise us.  As the World Bank has already signed the agreement to extend
a loan of $ 850 million despite many organisations showing  concern on
the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) developed by our authorities
with the 
active guidance of the World Bank, the issue has become most urgent.

We are not opposed to the Bank assistance however are anxious to see
that 
it comes in a way that would not affect the air quality and does not 
increase the hardship of the people.  Citizens certainly do not want
Bank 
money to despoil the conditions further.

After obtaining info on the MUTP from the Project Managers and trying to
explain the need for correcting the MUTP with them, we have developed
Citzens Transport Project for Mumbai (CTPM) as an alternative to the
MUTP.  We would be happy to share the CTPM with Clean Air
Initiative-Asia  Colleagues for obtaining their advice.  In the meantime
we shall appreciate specific advice on the issues raised in our letter
copied below.  Prompt replies from our colleagues would be most welcome
as matters have proceeded further disregarding the concerns of the
people. Thanks and Best wishes to all.

Kisan Mehta  President  kisansbc at vsnl.com
Priya Salvi  Hon Project Coordinator priya_salvi at yahoo.com
Save Bombay Committee
620 Jame Jamshed Road, Dadar East,
Mumbai 400 014  India
Tel: + 91 22 414 9688
Fax: * 91 22 415 5536

************************
Dear Mr. Mehta;

Thank you for your mail. I would recommend you to send the mail to CAI
mailing list. That will help you to receive different opinions on your
query. I will try to reply your mail through the mailing list.

Regards

Masud Karim
-----Original Message-----
From: kisan mehta [mailto:kisansbc at vsnl.com]
Sent: May 24, 2002 11:57 PM
To: masud at eng-consult.com
Subject: Information on air quality and mitigation of SPM and PM10 in
Mumbai


Dear Dr Masum Karim,

We received email giving information on your work.

The World Bank has promised to the Mumbai traffic authorities
 a loan of $ 850 million in the Mumbai Urban Transport
Project (MUTP) estimated to cost $1.2 billion.

The project though claimed to support and improve public transport is
meant to increase motorisation through highways, flyovers, elevated
roads, sealink etc.  The EIA has shown very high SPM, PM10, noise levels
while Nox, CO and Pb levels within the limits set by national standards
(standards do not have dependable safe limits).

The MUTP proposes construction of carriageways without pavements in
areas having very high pedestrian and other movement.  Many existing
roads also do not have
pavements.   Following our objection, the Project Managers
have undertaken a study of pollution levels but the Bank has not
postponed the loan till the mitigation measures are included.

We have proposed that the MUTP should provide for
construction of pavements for which Rs 2 billion (out of the total cost
of 60). The Project Managers and the Bank officials have rejected our
proposal but we wish to pursue further at World
Bank level.   We are now preparing a community alternative
to the MUTP for public transport, walking, cycling.  This should be
ready by May-end.  We can email the draft if you have time
to comment.   Save Bombay Committee is a NGO with all
of us working as volunteers.

Do you have any studies on reduction of SPM, PM10, noise
and can you advise on measures that need to be taken for
reducing the pollution.   What is the role of pavement in
reducing the pollution and road fatality? How else can one reduce SPM,
PM10, road fatality etc?

Mumbai incidentally has the highest road fatality rate in the world.
This too has not made the Project Managers to include construction of
pavements to provide minimum safety.
Parking on pavements and sidewalks is rampant.   Await your
advice.  Best wishes.

Ms Priya  Salvi  Hon Project Coordinator and
Mr Kisan Mehta  President
Save Bombay Committee
620 Jame Jamshed Road, Dadar East,
Mumbai 400 014 India
email: kisansbc at vsnl.com  & priya_salvi at yahoo.com