Latest news with #NMT
New Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
WB-ADB joint mission begins in Amaravati
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA), in coordination with Amaravati Development Corporation Ltd. (ADCL), hosted the inaugural day of the World Bank-Asian Development Bank (WB-ADB) Joint Implementation Support Mission in Amaravati on Monday. The meetings focused on project implementation progress, capacity-building, and infrastructure and governance reforms. The plenary session was chaired by APCRDA Commissioner K Kanna Babu, with Additional Commissioners G Surya Sai Praveenchand and Mallarapu Naveen, alongside ADCL officials, World Bank and ADB delegates, and project consultants. APCRDA presented updates on manpower, project milestones, and mission goals. The transport session included presentations by BRTS consultants on Multi-Modal Integration (MMI) and Non-Motorized Transport (NMT), with APCRDA and ADCL engineering teams participating in technical reviews. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) progress was discussed, with PwC and APCRDA showcasing ongoing and potential models.
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- The Hindu
70% elder abuse complaints in last 3 years were against family members: helpline data
Around 70% elder abuse complaints reported in the last three years (2022 - 2025) were against family members, according to data from the Elders Helpline, a toll free number (1090) which is a joint project of Bengaluru City police and Nightingales Medical Trust (NMT), supported by the Department for the Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens. This data was revealed on Saturday ahead of the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), observed on June 15 every year globally to spotlight the issue of elder abuse, which includes physical, emotional, financial, and sexual harm, as well as neglect. The data showed that sons rank consistently as primary perpetrators, followed by daughters-in-law and other close relatives. 'The leading causes of abuse include disputes related to property and financial matters, alongside caregiving burdens and a growing lack of adjustment within multi-generational households, highlighting intergenerational tensions and the urgent need for elder-sensitive support systems,' said Radha S. Murthy, managing trustee, NMT. NMT, in association with Elders Helpline, had organised a public awareness campaign against elder abuse on June 14. The event featured street plays and a roadshow from Shivajinagar to KR market, aiming to raise public awareness and promote community-level action. Flagging off the campaign, Nataraj S., Joint Director of the Department for the Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens, stated, 'Our culture is to value our elders. There is an urgent need to protect and take collective action against elder abuse.' S Premkumar Raja, Co-founder and Secretary of NMT, lamented, 'Generally in India, we think that old age home is a solution for the problems of the elderly. However, that is not the ideal solution. Elders always want to be part of their families and society.' Further commenting on elder abuse, he said, 'Sadly, since most of the time the abusers are family members, the problem is hidden.' It was also revealed during the event that since its inception in 2002, the helpline has received over 2,73,600 calls and walk-ins have registered more than 15,000 complaints. More than 69% of the cases have been resovled and 44,500 counselling sessions have been conducted. Registration for Ayush Vaya Vandana Card To assist the elderly, the Elders Helpline – composed of social workers, counsellors, legal professionals and police personnel – will be initiating a registration help desk for issuing 'Ayush Vaya Vandana Card' for elders over 70 years. Registrations will be conducted by prior appointment once a week on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Ayushman Bharat Vaya Vandana Card is a specialised health and welfare card under the Ayushman Bharat scheme for senior citizens, particularly those aged 70 and above.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
City cyclists urge CM to lift ban on cycling
Kolkata: Cyclists in Kolkata rallied behind chief minister Mamata Banerjee, hailing her visionary Sabuj Sathi scheme that distributed over 1.15 crore bicycles to girl students across Bengal. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a heartfelt open letter, cycling enthusiasts and advocacy groups appealed to the CM to go a step further by lifting restrictions on bicycle use across city roads and formally recognising cycles as a legitimate, non-polluting mode of transport in the urban mobility landscape. The appeal comes amidst growing concern over police-imposed restrictions that prohibit cyclists from using several arterial roads in Kolkata. These curbs, according to the letter jointly signed by organisations, including Kolkata Cycle Samaj, BYCS, Cyclology India, Nagarik Mancha, and Sabuj Mancha, run counter to the spirit of Sabuj Sathi, a scheme globally recognised for its environmental and social impact. "Bicycles are not a problem—they are the solution," reads the letter. "The ban on cycles contradicts the CM's pioneering vision, and it disproportionately harms livelihood cyclists who rely on this humble, sustainable vehicle to support their families." Recent studies back the cyclists' claim. A speed-mapping analysis found cycles outperforming motor vehicles on 60% of Kolkata's congested corridors. In high-traffic zones like Tollygunge Phari, cycles matched or exceeded the average bus and car speeds during peak hours. Health and mobility experts are echoing the urgency of policy change. "Kolkata has already made strides by integrating non-motorised transport into its mobility plans," said Anumita Roychowdhury, a mobility expert from CSE. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The next big leap is implementation—designing our cities for people, not just cars." The Sabuj Sathi initiative, implemented by the West Bengal SC/ST Development and Finance Corporation, not only empowered students but also made a substantial dent in the state's carbon footprint. According to data from the West Bengal Pollution Control Board, Sabuj Sathi cyclists saved nearly 8.4 million tonnes of CO₂ between 2013 and 2022—valued at over Rs 750 crore in climate benefits. Despite having one of the highest rates of walking and cycling commutes among Indian cities, Kolkata lags in infrastructure. Cycle parking at metro hubs, protected bike lanes, and designated corridors are either missing or inadequate. "Kolkata's compact layout makes it ideal for cycling," said Satanjib Gupta, bicycle mayor of Kolkata. "It's time we stop penalising cyclists and instead invest in making streets safer and more inclusive. " Christopher Gerber, Ajay Mittal, Inspector Prosenjit Chakraborty of Kolkata Police, and others pointed to promising examples across Indian cities like Chennai, where 40% of streets are earmarked for walking and cycling, with Rs 200 crore allocated for NMT in 2025. Pune, where 15% of the transport budget is for NMT, integrates public bicycle sharing with bus networks. Bengaluru, where Safe School Zones and dedicated cycle corridors are say Kolkata now stands at a crossroads—quite literally. "This is a choice between choking in traffic or moving towards a healthier, accessible, and more breathable city," said Sanjiv Gopal from Asar. "Cycling must no longer be treated as an afterthought in policy and planning."
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Infra overhaul proposed near ISBT to ease traffic, protect pedestrians
To tackle long-standing traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safety near the Ludhiana Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), a detailed infrastructure upgrade plan has been proposed. The initiative is designed to streamline vehicular movement, particularly for buses and intermediate public transport (IPT), while creating a safer environment for pedestrians, especially those navigating the area with luggage. The comprehensive proposal includes the construction of a new 2.2 metre-high flyover, which will connect with the existing flyover coming from Gill Road towards the bus stand. To reduce pedestrian-vehicle conflicts, a grade-separated facility at the Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) crossing near Gill Chowk has also been proposed. Additional traffic improvements feature the development of a dedicated bus bay and IPT bay near Bharat Nagar Chowk, with the new flyover set to land 200m before the current one. For improved pedestrian access, plans include car parking areas, pick-and-drop bays, a tabletop pedestrian crossing, and a 4-metre-wide ramp ensuring barrier-free connectivity from Bus Stand Road to Gill Chowk. A U-turn for two-wheelers is also part of the plan. In a related development, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora announced the construction of a foot overbridge near the bus terminal to ensure pedestrian safety. 'I've also announced the construction of a foot overbridge here to prevent people from risking their lives by crossing traffic-heavy lanes. But beyond construction, we must ensure the structure is comfortable and convenient, so people use it,' he said. The proposal has been drafted by Punjab's traffic advisor Navdeep Asija and Punjab Road Safety Council member Rahul Verma. 'We have framed these infra upgrades to reduce the traffic chaos and road accident fatalities near the ISBT. We will also submit this proposal to the NHAI to streamline the implementation process,' Verma said. A survey cited in the proposal noted that 70% to 80% of the traffic near ISBT moves in a straight direction, yet the lack of proper pedestrian infrastructure often puts lives at risk. MP Arora further stated that several encroached areas near ISBT have been identified. 'We will conduct a thorough inspection of these spots, as their removal is crucial for ensuring smooth traffic flow and effective implementation of the proposals,' he added. It is yet to be finalised whether municipal corporation or NHAI will execute the proposed upgrades.
Deccan Herald
12-05-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
No country for walkers, cyclists
Globally, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorised two- and three-wheelers collectively account for 54% of the total number of fatalities in traffic incidents. While advancements in vehicle safety technologies have improved protection for drivers and passengers, Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) remain highly susceptible to harm in road traffic India, VRUs accounted for over 67% of fatalities in 2023; around 35,000 of them were pedestrians. This high proportion can be attributed to factors such as high motorised vehicle growth, poor road infrastructure, and a lack of dedicated tracks for pedestrians and cyclists. Planning in most cities does not take into account the realities of Indian commuting Global Road Safety Week, which is observed every alternative year, is scheduled this year from May 12 to 18. It focuses on the theme 'Streets for Life: Unlocking the multiple benefits of safe walking and cycling' and calls on policymakers to implement proven those who travel for work in India, one-third still commute on foot (2011). For commutes up to 10 km, walking is still the most common means of transport. Even in India's megacities, walking is the most common mode of commuting. In Delhi, an equal proportion of 26% walk and take the bus, while in all other cities, buses come next. In Mumbai, 36% of the population is estimated to walk or cycle to Guided walk through 5 public is a large section of working-class people who use bicycles as the only mode of transportation for their livelihood every day. In Delhi alone, 11% of the working population cycles to work and 36% of households own bicycles (2011 Census). However, there has been a consistent decrease in bicycle ridership over the years in different cities. Cities are increasingly becoming congested – this congestion is marked by a significant rise in the number of vehicles on the roads, increasing safety concerns for walkers and cyclists. .Policy on transportation policies in India have been automobile-oriented and have focused on moving vehicles rather than moving people. Road engineering in India is governed by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) codes that refer to designing footpaths and cycle tracks as Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) infrastructure. However, these codes are not mandatory – they are only advisory and hence are not adhered to for urban road development. As a result, NMT infrastructure in most of the Indian cities is either not built or is left incomplete and the designated space is quickly sacrificed to make way for motorised 2006, the government issued the National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) identifying the importance of NMT to access public transport and encouraged cities to integrate NMT facilities with their urban transit projects. However, little was done on the ground, citing difficulties in the implementation of the policy. India's Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy (2017) also focuses on pedestrians, cyclists, and other NMT users, recognising the role of NMT in first- and last-mile have been several experiments in various Indian cities aimed at improving the walking and cycling experience. In 2014, the Greater Chennai Corporation adopted India's first NMT Policy aimed at arresting the decline in walking and cycling by creating a safe and pleasant network of footpaths, cycle tracks, greenways, and other NMT facilities. In 2020, Karnataka reported the highest number of pedestrian deaths in the country, accounting for 13% of the total pedestrian fatalities. By issuing a draft, the state initiated the Active Mobility Bill (2021), the first of its kind in India, that seeks to protect pedestrians and cyclists by creating a safe and accessible environment. However, the bill has been a 75 Mission (2023) was introduced in Bengaluru to improve 75 critical junctions by improving traffic flow and making the junctions safer for all road users, particularly pedestrians. However, its impact is yet to be more than 35,000 km of dedicated cycling lanes, The Netherlands is a global leader in promoting active mobility through cycling. In Copenhagen and in Amsterdam, more than 50% of the total population commutes by bicycle, significantly reducing CO2 emissions, traffic congestion, and improving public health. A recent report (IPCC, 2023), suggests that NMT can reduce emissions from urban transport by 2 to 10%, depending on the context. India needs to do much more in promoting walking and cycling and making them safer, viable alternatives..(The writer is Director, Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development India)
