[sustran] Urban transport in focus, finally

[Vinay Baindur]

http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/m-ramachandran-urban-transport-in-focus-finally-114061400932_1.html





*M Ramachandran:* Urban transport in focus, finally

*The National Transport Development Policy Committee's attention needs to
seep down to local bodies*
*M Ramachandran  *
*June 14, 2014* Last Updated at 21:50 IST
*Read more on:    *M Ramachandran
<http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=M+Ramachandran> | Urban
Transport
<http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=Urban+Transport> | Urban
Renewal Mission
<http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=Urban+Renewal+Mission>
| National Urban Transport Policy
<http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=National+Urban+Transport+Policy>
| National Transport Development Policy Committee
<http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=National+Transport+Development+Policy+Committee>





The recently submitted National Transport Development Policy Committee
<http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=National+Transport+Development+Policy+Committee>
Report,
while covering all main modes of transport, has a section devoted to urban
transport
<http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=Urban+Transport>. This
is significant, since this sector has never got exclusive attention and was
discussed generally as part of surface transport. Cities are growing, and
with the huge addition of personalised vehicles, urban mobility is getting
more and more complicated. It is heartening for city dwellers that the
committee has paid detailed attention to this emerging but traditionally
neglected segment of our transport system. While it is a fact that urban
transport cannot be seen in isolation from the overall city-planning
process, what is badly needed is to give importance to such transport in
the local-body governance schemes and having transport personnel in
position at the city levels. The larger agenda of capacity building at the
city level has to have a specific component of transport capacity building
too.

There have only been some isolated attempts at understanding the
complexities of urban transport so far; the fact that most city bodies do
not have a dedicated urban transport wing has only resulted in lack of
attention to this important aspect of urban governance.

The National Urban Transport Policy
<http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=National+Urban+Transport+Policy>'s
statement of 2006 outlined an agenda, but since implementation is with the
states, much of the action is pending. Then came the Urban Renewal Mission
<http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=Urban+Renewal+Mission>
that
encouraged at least the 65 mission cities to look at urban transport
solutions. So bus rapid transit schemes got taken up in 15 cities. Another
boost was when under the Mission, the Centre decided to finance 15,000
modern new buses in these mission cities. Also, thanks to the success of
the Delhi Metro, similar projects were taken up in eight more cities and
three more are lined up. Urban bus specifications have now been formulated
and some metropolitan cities have started work on unified metropolitan
transport authorities. But these are only beginnings compared to the huge
complexities of increasing urban mobility.

So what is it that the committee has to say on urban transport?





It recommends formulation of urban transport policies and strategies in an
"avoid, shift and improve" framework. Since sustainable transport is about
moving less, the attempt has to be to reduce use of motorised transport,
for which the urban planning system has to change and move towards
judicious land use planning. Subsequently, the focus should be on "shift" -
that is, change modal choice to promote lower fuel consumption for a
passenger or freight for each kilometre, manage traffic and reduce air
pollutants. Public transport needs to improve through an early integration
of bus priority ways, bus ways and bus rapid transit into cities'
expansion. Cities need dense, integrated public transport. Priority in
planning for modes should focus on improving mobility through non-motorised
transport, public transport, and para-transit and personal vehicles, in
that order. Also, public transport should be made high-quality and
user-friendly, so that the commuter uses public transport voluntarily.
Energy efficiency of vehicles require to be improved, and use of efficient
and cleaner fuels is to be promoted. Cities should move from a closed
permit system to an open one for para-transit or intermediate public
transport modes.

On the institutional framework, the committee says policymakers need to
focus on "(a) the information and metrics basis for planning, design and
operating aspects of urban transport infrastructure; (b) developing and
implementing a strong transport demand management regime; (c) improving
implementation of projects and coordination between investments in the
urban transport system". As the primary responsibility of urban transport
remains with state governments, state-level offices of transport strategy
should be created and states should enact a comprehensive urban transport
law; over time, transport responsibilities should be devolved to
metropolitan and city authorities. The Centre's role will be in financing
urban infrastructure and as a technical advisor while state expertise is
being created. The Centre has to also create standards for urban transport
performance, including safety, environmental impact and other national
goals. One thing clearly stated is that the Centre cannot be directly
responsible for urban transport in a federal set-up such as India. It has
been emphasised that states are a natural focus for urban transport in
India's current circumstances.

Investment requirements have also been projected and innovative financing
mechanisms have been proposed.

The nine recommendations given in the report need to be considered on
priority in the context of the proposed revision of the National Urban
Transport Policy and the expected announcement of another phase of the
Urban Renewal Mission. Public debate on the recommendations would help
shape revised strategies and policies. For instance, whether the Centre
should continue as a partner in metro projects. Another area for discussion
could be regarding the perception that investment support in new buses by
the Centre has been for the better as far as cities are concerned. The
question then would be how can continued improvements in the bus system be
ensured if the central role is to be minimised. Will it be better if City
Development Plans continue to focus on urban mobility also and get support
from the Centre, which in effect becomes a motivator for states to bring in
changes? Transport is a state subject, but what does experience tell us
about state-level priorities in undertaking required city transport
improvement investments? One would keenly watch as to what steps states
take once the central government, after taking a final view on the
committee's report, advises states to consider the recommendations.

------------------------------

*The author is a former secretary, Urban Development, and former chairman
of Metro Rail Corporations in Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chenna*