[sustran] MMRDA will file PIL to block Tata's Rs1 lakh car

[Anupam Gupta, CLSA]

MMRDA is the regional planning authority for Mumbai. It reports to the Chief
Minister. MMRDA Chief, Dr. T. Chandrashekhar, has an impressive track record
of work in Thane. In Mumbai, he's been caught between the politicians and
the BMC. To give him credit, there's a lot of work he's had done on the
roads. However - and see below - this is the first time he's taking such a
strong stance. The battle between free enterprise and urban planning? I'm on
the MMRDA chief's side on this one. I just hope this posturing doesn't ruin
his career, because ultimately its the politicians who are in charge.
Somehow I just can't see this litigation stand in court. Would love your
thoughts. 
 
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1108645
<http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1108645> 
 
 
MMRDA will file PIL to block Tata's Rs1 lakh car

MUMBAI: When the Tatas launch their Rs1 lakh car some time next year, they
could face a roadblock in Mumbai. T Chandrashekhar, who heads the Mumbai
Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the agency entrusted with
the task of implementing the city's multi-crore infrastructure projects,
says that he would be the first to file a public interest litigation (PIL)
to stop the car's rollout in the city. 

Chandrashekhar believes that the city will never taste the fruits of its
infrastructure investments unless it rations the use of road space and
private vehicles. "The Tata car cannot be permitted (into the city) as it
would choke up Mumbai. The low cost would mean that all those who can afford
bikes will jump into the car segment. Then, no road space will be enough to
hold the sea of vehicles. The city will be doomed," he warns. 

As metropolitan commissioner, Chandrashekhar is in charge of redeveloping
150 km of roads in Mumbai, which includes both the Eastern and Western
Express Highways and the new east-west connecting roads - the
Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) and the Santa Cruz-Chembur Link Road
(SCLR). He wants the state government to initiate strict vehicle rationing. 

"Today, people are buying vehicles like they purchase chocolates. Only those
citizens who have parking space must be allowed to buy cars. There should be
a fixed quota of new vehicles sold in Mumbai. And like London and Paris, the
city must levy a congestion tax to de-clog the roads," he adds. The MMRDA
chief cautioned that in the next five years, all the roads and flyovers will
be inadequate if vehicular growth is not controlled. 

That apart, Chandrashekhar also wants to control the influx of job-seekers
in Mumbai. He wants the city to introduce a work permit regime in Mumbai.
"Only those having a work permit and a valid house must be provided basic
amenities like ration card, telephone connection and power supply," he said.


 
Regards,
Anupam Gupta
+91 22 6650 5074
Mobile +91 98204 98981
 

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