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

[Sudhir]

Sir,



It is an excellent idea (vis- a- vis Controlling Vehicle Registrations)

But In the democratic country like ours (India) where there is MORE freedom such an exercise would not stand either in front of court or in front of politicians.

Vehicle automobile manufactures have tremendous influence on government policies where as the NGO/technical people/experts have none.

Now time has come where public  own  vehicles not for comfort but for status.

Already in cities like Bangalore/Chennai vehicle per household is increasing to 2 whereas the household size is decreasing.

Allowing a person to buy a vehicle only if he has a parking space is not a good idea as the parking facility (home) is utilised mainly in night ( when there is no traffic) whereas the vehicle would be using the roads during peak times.

Congestion pricing is also not a good idea (if implemented on all the modes such as buses etc. for example BOT tolls on National Highways) as more burden is exerted on the poor people thus degrading their life further. Successful western Tools and Techniques cannot be copied directly to suit Indian conditions. They have to be modified to suit Indian conditions.

Here I would like to take the liberty of exposing one such policy in our NH .

In NHDP projects, there is a suggestion of having variable tolls in peak and off peak timings with substantial difference in costs.

But National Highways mainly traverse through rural areas with urban centres bypassed with a peak % of 4-6%.

Such a policy is not at all helpful for such National Highways.

Coming to Urban centres,Supply based actions would boomerang in future.

wait for 10 more years to see the quality of life in a city.

 

Regards

Sudhir



  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Anupam Gupta, CLSA 
  To: sustran-discuss at list.jca.apc.org 
  Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2007 12:07 PM
  Subject: [sustran] MMRDA will file PIL to block Tata's Rs1 lakh car


  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


  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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