CUMTA to come up with comprehensive mobility plan for city next month
The extensive document will chalk out sustainable plans on how to enhance mobility, shift people into using public transport, and introduce multi-modal integration and land-use planning for the next two decades.
While the first executive committee meeting will be held between the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) and various government departments, the second meeting is slated to be held next week. If the executive committee approves the plan, it will be presented to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for the final approval, sources said.
'The document focuses on the Chennai Metro Rail's phase III and phase IV networks. To feed into the main network, we are also exploring the Light Rail Transit network for one or two corridors. We are also considering bus priority lanes, a concept similar to Bus Rapid Transit. With dedicated bus lanes and the existing fleets, we can establish this system,' a source said.
According to CUMTA, the existing MTC bus fleet is around 3,300, but the current requirement is nearly 6,000. By next year, the fleet size will increase to 4,500.
It has estimated the fleet for the next 25 years. 'We have been giving a lot of impetus to increasing the share of public transport in the city — be it bus, Metrorail and suburban rail — which faced a significant decline post pandemic. However, the share of two-wheelers has risen from 29.6% in 2018 to 36.6% in 2023 in the overall Chennai Metropolitan Area,' an official of CUMTA said.
If there is increased emphasis on public transport such as bus priority lanes, Chennai Metro Rail, and suburban rail, the footpath needs to be accessible and free of encroachments. CUMTA has identified 1,500 km for footpath improvement. Of this, work to improve 200 km will be taken up every year.
'Only 16% of the city roads have footpaths. Out of this, 12% have encroachments. The CUMTA has recommended separate operation and maintenance contracts for their upkeep for better accountability. So, whether it is the Greater Chennai Corporation or the Highways, we recommend that they float separate contracts. Our priority is to develop accessible footpaths on bus route roads,' the official said.
Moreover, the CUMTA is looking to decongest East Coast Road and Rajiv Gandhi Salai by enhancing their connectivity, the official added.
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