DULT takes up mobility plan in 16 towns in Karnataka

Will serve as guideline documents for respective towns

The Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) has taken up preparation of Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), which provides for long and short-term recommendations for transport infrastructure, public transport, pedestrian facilities and non-motorised transport for 16 towns in the State.

These plans would serve as guideline documents for the respective towns or Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for implementation. 

The towns, which have CMP, become eligible for grants from the Centre. In all, the government proposes to prepare CMPs for 52 towns across the State.

“In the first phase, we have selected 16 towns. Four in-house teams are touring the State collecting data, studying the traffic/mobility problems in the towns and preparing the base work for the CMP,” DULT Commissioner V Manjula said.

The towns selected include Ankola, Bhatkal, Kumta, Dandeli, Srirangapatna, Maddur, Malavalli, Shahabad, Chittapur, Raibag, Sedam, Bailhongal, Khanapur, among others.Manjula pointed out that the towns may not have heavy traffic density or population, but preparing CMPs at this stage would help in the early planning.

“It is better to catch them young, before the situation worsens,” she said. Usually, the task of preparing such plans are given to external agencies, but this time, all 16 CMPs are being prepared by the officials and staff of DULT, resulting in savings in consultation fees.

No traffic bottlenecks

The plan will provide strategy and policy measures to ensure that there are no traffic bottlenecks as the town develops, it will dwell on the nature of pedestrian facilities like footpaths and walkways, blueprint for public transport systems like public buses and scheme for encouraging the use of bicycles. 

Officials point out that CMPs should not be confused with Comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Plan (CTTP). 

CTTPs focus on mobility needs of car users, while CMPs address mobility needs of all people, including pedestrians, infrastructure requirement of all modes of transport and their integration.

External agencies have already prepared the CTTP for Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike and other corporations, including Mysore, Belgaum, Gul­barga, Mangalore, Hubli-Dharwad, Bellary and Davangere.

 The onus of implementation of the plans rests with the elected local bodies and line-departments such as transport and police.

CMPs will come in handy while seeking Central funding under schemes such as Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.