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Integrated transport needed to save Bengaluru: Experts, bureaucrats

Last Updated 06 October 2017, 10:26 IST
The need for integrated mode of transport connecting city and suburbs to make Bengaluru sustainable was repeatedly stressed by experts and bureaucrats at a conference for investors here on Friday.

Making a presentation on the challenges to transport systems in Bengaluru, Urban Development Department secretary Anjum Pervez said the state government was working on making Bengaluru liveable. "We have already deposited money with the railways for buying racks (coaches) for suburban rail. We will continue to work for an integrated transport system," he said.

Noting that development plans should not come at the cost of much-needed works Pervez cited the government's efforts to build peripheral ring road (PRR). "We approved TenderSure projects with a lot of apprehension as it costs Rs 5 crore to Rs 7 crore per kilometre of Tender Sure road. For years, we are trying to mobilise funds for PRR but have not succeeded. Now, we are finding that the Tender Sure roads and footpaths are dug up," he said.

He said such projects should get high sanctity considering that they are funded at the cost of works like PRR which have the capacity to avoid density of core urban population by ensuring mobility at the suburban level.

WRI India's Pavan Mulukutla said urban transport need to be integrated at three levels - infrastructure, information and fare models. "As of now, metro, BMTC and taxis operate in their own isolated world, which provides no possibility for last mile connectivity. Only the United Metropolitan Transport Authority, which has remained on paper years after it was proposed, can provide solution to these problems," he said.

Urban Architect Naresh Narasimhan said Bengaluru has wasted 19 tmcft of water over the last few days by failing to implement rain water harvesting. "This city can be still saved. We have to learn optimum utilisation of resources," he said.
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(Published 06 October 2017, 09:49 IST)

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