Traffic Congestion – Possible case for a PIL

As outlined below, the formation of the prescribed bodies to tackle traffic congestion & to improve living conditions in the city was completed some time ago as recommended. Despite this, no concrete steps seem to be planned to stem the rot. The same old solutions continue to be doled out – the usual widening of roads after felling more trees & introducing more bus routes. These temporary solutions have been making things worse as widening roads invites more vehicles & the losers continue to be pedestrians & public transport users.
 

As I had mentioned in an earlier blog, the quality of street–based public transport can only be as good as traffic conditions will allow it to be. With average traffic speeds around 13.2 km/hr during peak hours in the city, fast, dependable quality bus services will never be possible unless buses are offered priority measures & are not subject to traffic delays. Unless measures to ensure this are taken, the larger business groups will shy away from city bus services if & when they are privatized.

At this stage, the other relevant bodies, such as BBMP & BMTC should be planning a complete shift out from the present stalemate, with the confidence of the public, but they seem to have pinned their hopes altogether solely on a Metro system that by itself, will never be able to solve the myriad transport problems.

The above seems adequate for filing a PIL against the State Government, questioning them as to why urgent steps are not being taken to address traffic & congestion problems in the city & to accord BMLTA with necessary powers to do the same expeditiously & on top priority.

KUIDFC (Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development & Finance Corporation) had initiated a Comprehensive Traffic & transportation Plan (CTTP), which was carried out by Rail India Technical & Economic Services (RITES) & made public in October, 2007. (Please refer to relevant findings from the CTTP report reproduced below & discussions posted previously on Praja).

The CTTP report had reported the following relevant facts, which are undisputed :
 

1) Sec.3.9.5 – The average peak hour driving speed in the city was found to be 13.2 Kmph.

2) Sec.3.10.3 – Opinion Survey : Over 70 % of commuters feel that :

1. buses are delayed, resulting in long waiting times
2. the frequency is not adequate
3. distance to bus stops should be less
   69 % feel the numbers of routes are not adequate.
   98 % of respondents are in favour of MRTS in city
   81 % would like feeder bus service to MRTS stations
   89 % would like to have parking facilities at MRTS stations
   90 % prefer single ticketing system between bus and MRTS
    

3) Table 3.18 – Modal Share of Public Transport has dropped from 55% in 1982 to 45.7% in 2006.  Sec.3.13.1.8 – This is further expected to fall unless adequate and quality public transport system is provided to the people of Bangalore. Share of two wheelers and cars in travel demand is disturbingly high. This trend needs to be arrested.

4) Sec.3.11.2 – Traffic Police have resorted to manage excessive traffic by introducing one way systems in central areas. 87 kms of roads converted to one–ways in the last two years alone.

5) Sec.3.13.1.3 – Traffic composition on roads indicates very high share of two wheelers. The share of cars is also growing. This indicates inadequate public transport system.

6) Sec.3.13.1.4 – Vehicle to Capacity ratios on most of the roads are more than 1.

7) Sec.3.13.1.4 .6 – Household surveys indicate high household incomes. So the vehicle ownership levels are increasing. In the absence of adequate and comfortable public transport system, people are using their personal modes creating not only congestion problems but also environmental pollution.

8) Sec.3.13.1.4 .7  – The household surveys indicate high share of work trips. This segment of travel demand needs to be mostly satisfied by public transport system. Considering the large employment centres being planned in the BMA, the public/mass transport system needs to be upgraded substantially.

9) Sec.3.13.1.9 – There is high pedestrian traffic in core area and some other areas in Bangalore. Footpath facilities are generally not adequate and their condition is deteriorating. Therefore up gradation of their facilities is very important.

10) Sec.3.13.1.10 – Parking is assuming critical dimensions in Bangalore. Parking facilities need to be augmented substantially. In the long run, city-wide public transport system needs to provide not only to reduce congestion on roads but also to reduce parking demand.

11) Sec.3.13.1.11 – Share of cycle traffic has declined over the years. This mode of transport needs to be promoted by providing cycle tracks along the roads.

12) Sec.3.13.1.13 – Large areas are being planned by BMRDA in the BMR. This is likely to increase interaction between Bangalore and suburban towns. There will be need to provide commuter rail services to these towns from Bangalore.

The Government of Karnataka, in its Order No. UDD 134 BMR 2006 (I), dated 8.3.2007, had created the State Directorate of Urban Land Transport [DULT] under the Urban Development Department.

BMLTA was created vide Government Order No. UDD 134 BMR 2006 (2), dated 9.3.2007 with the following functions :
 

• To co-ordinate all land transport matters in the BMR.
• To prepare detailed Master Plan for Transport Infrastructure based on the comprehensive Traffic and Transport Study for Bangalore.
• To oversee implementation of all transportation projects.
• To appraise and recommend transportation and infrastructure projects for bilateral / bilateral Central assistance.
• To function as empowered Committee for all Urban Transportation Projects.
• To initiate action for a regulatory framework for all land transport systems in BMR.
• To initiates steps, where feasible for common ticketing system.
• Take any other decision for the integrated urban transport and land use planning and Implementation of the projects.

The National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP–2006) had recommended setting up of Unified Urban Transport Authorities in cities with populations exceeding one million. The NUTP recommendations were to facilitate better coordination between planning & implementing agencies of urban transport programmes & projects, & integrating management of urban transport systems. See below for relevant extracts from NUTP–2006. Extracts from National Urban Transport Policy :
 

• A. Incorporating urban transportation as an important parameter at the urban planning stage rather than being a consequential requirement.
• B. Bringing about a more equitable allocation of road space with people, rather than vehicles, as its main focus.
• C. Encourage greater use of public transport and non- motorized modes by offering Central financial assistance for this purpose.
• D. Enabling the establishment of quality focused multi-modal public transport systems that are well integrated, providing seamless travel across modes.
• E. Establishing effective regulatory and enforcement mechanisms that allow a level playing field for all operators of transport services and enhanced safety for the transport system users.
• F. Establishing institutional mechanisms for enhanced coordination in the planning and management of transport systems.
• G. Introducing Intelligent Transport Systems for traffic management.

 [PS: Removed formatting due to HTML problems - blr_editor]