The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Accent on sustainable urban mobility

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Sunday, Feb 27, 2011
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Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Accent on sustainable urban mobility

Staff Reporter

Rules and regulations being formulated

— Photo: N. Sridharan

Minister of Urban Development Parithi Ellamvazhuthi in discussion with CMDA vice-chairperson Susan Mathew at a seminar in Chennai on Friday. CMDA member secretary Dayanand Kataria is in the picture.

CHENNAI: Setting up of a unified institutional framework for all modes of public transport will be the key for sustainable urban mobility in the Chennai Metropolitan Area, said Susan Mathew, Vice-Chairperson, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.

Speaking at a seminar on ‘Towards sustainable Urban Mobility' here on Friday, she said the rules and regulations of the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority Act 2010 are being formulated. The UMTA is expected to improve the share of mass transit modes and optimise the utilisation of urban transport infrastructure.

Other strategies identified for sustainable urban mobility include promotion of transit options such as Light Rail Transit System, Bus Rapid Transit System and Monorail, segregation of freight traffic from passenger traffic, prioritising non-motorised transport, putting a parking policy in place and redefining the role of para-transport.

The UMTA could be used as focal point for initiating seamless ticketing in CMA, said K.Rajaraman, Managing Director, Chennai Metro Rail Limited. Preparation of a seamless card based ticketing plan for public transportation in Chennai would be ready by 2011, he added.

He also suggested the merger of Metro Rail and Mass Rapid Transit System for better delivery of services.

The study on zone of influence of metro rail stations was under way and the results would throw light on the need for more walkways, underground passages and walkthroughs near the proposed stations, said Mr. Rajaram.

Minister for Urban Development Parithi Illamvazhuthi said that the transport infrastructure was given priority in the CMA and a large number of MNCs are being attracted to Chennai on account of better infrastructure. At the same time, the government has also implemented various welfare measures for the poor, he added. “The right balance between transport infrastructure and welfare measures have contributed towards higher economic growth for Chennai,” he added. “A total of seven flyovers and one subway have been inaugurated in the last five years. Work on five flyovers and two subways are under way,” he said.

International Monorail Association president Sumitra Iyengar said Chennai has the potential for transit options such as monorail and BRTS.

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