Non-motorised transport need of the hour
Posted on: 03/Dec/2014 3:24:51 PM
The Chennai Corporation has proposed flyovers in areas with heavy vehicular movement to ease roads and reduce congestion.
However, experts observe that these measures are stop-gap solutions and more thrust needs to be given to non-motorised transport (NMT) efforts.
Proposals for flyovers near Ega Theatre (till Valluvar Kottam) and Villivakkam, integrating North and South Usman Road, and at Madhya Kailash and Mandaveli junctions are at various stages.
The proposed expenditure for the Ega Theatre flyover alone is more than Rs. 1,000 Crores.
Experts feel that investments should be made keeping in mind pedestrians.
Advait Jani is the Chennai programme coordinator, Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), which works in an advisory capacity with the Corporation to explore NMT projects, and promote use of public transport. He feels that the newly-laid footpaths in Egmore have actually made a great difference; people have started walking more, and fewer vehicles are seen.
Christopher Kost, technical director, ITDP informs that their cycle-sharing project envisions 3,000 cycles being used from 200 stations across central Chennai within a year.
Once that kicks off, the Corporation will set up tracks for cyclists on the roads, as well as ‘greenways’, or dedicated NMT infrastructure, along Cooum and Marina.
