[sustran] Invest more in facilities for pedestrians, State Govts told

[Vinay Baindur]

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2829036.ece




Invest more in facilities for pedestrians, State Govts toldOur Bureau

Funds for urban development used more for public transport
Chennai, Jan. 24:

Neglecting pedestrians and non-motorised vehicle infrastructure as State
Governments keenly strengthen public transport systems could prove costly,
according to Dr Pawan Kumar, Associate Town and Country Planner, Town and
Country Planning Organisation, Ministry of Urban Development.
Not placing emphasis

The claim for the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission funds
indicate that State Governments are not placing as much emphasis on
creating facilities for pedestrians and non-motorised vehicles as on public
transport systems.

This could prove a costly mistake as surveys indicate that in cities such
as Chennai pedestrians' access to public transport facilities is a major
bottleneck.

“Public transport terminals are the least accessible by walk,” say the
studies, he said.

Funds for such infrastructure available under the JNNURM are waiting to be
utilised by cities. But in most urban centres, pedestrians, including
school going children and the elderly, are largely neglected.

Investments in simple pedestrian facilities such as clear walkways and
tracks for non motorised vehicles, not only increase safety on roads but
increase the efficiency of more expensive public transport infrastructure
such as road and rail based systems, he said addressing Municipalika 2012,
an international seminar on urban governance.

Chandigarh, Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad score high on facilities for
pedestrians and ‘walkability,' he said.

Gujarat is set to extend the success of its Bus Rapid Transit System with a
third phase that will cover over 120 km more, according to Mr Dilipkumar
Mahajan, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.
Bus transport

The 42-km bus rapid transit route which is into its third year of operation
will be extended to 89 km by the year end in the second phase. In the next
two years the third phase will also be taken up.

The bus rapid transit system has been a significant success in terms of
providing an affordable, efficient and comfortable public transport.

With a fleet strength of 102 buses, that is to be doubled by the year end,
the BRTS moves over a 1.20 lakh passengers daily and a major portion of its
route is along the sections of the city that need public transport.

Over the last one year the numbers of those using the BRTS has increased
six times and the business is breaking even as of now, he said.