RITES to prepare mobility plan for tricity within eight months

Dushyant Singh Pundir

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 14

To provide seamless connectivity, the Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) will prepare a comprehensive mobility plan for the tricity within eight months. A kick-off meeting, chaired by UT Adviser Dharam Pal, was held today with officials of RITES to discuss the comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) for the tricity.

At the meeting, study objectives and vision for sustainable mobility for horizon year 2041 were highlighted. Some other deliberations such as ways to integrate mobility plan with land-use plan and determine the optimal mix of multi-modal public transport network were held. Focus was laid on providing safe, secure, efficient, reliable and seamless connectivity for residents of Chandigarh.

In addition to this, the officials also focused on low-carbon mobility plan for the city. It was stressed that the existing transport system with current and future demands for public transport system would be kept in mind.

RITES had also prepared a report on the city’s mobility plan in 2009. However, the report was found to be outdated as the city’s requirements have changed drastically in the past more than a decade and also, the guidelines set by the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry of the MRTS project have changed. RITES had suggested Metro, which was opposed by MP Kirron Kher. The MP had said that she would never want a small city like Chandigarh get uprooted for Metro.

To reduce air pollution, the United Kingdom (UK) will also suggest an alternative eco-friendly transport system for the city. The project would be funded by the UK for a duration of 12 months and would tentatively start in January 2022. The broad objective was to provide support for decarbonising the city transport and contribute to the climate change agenda.

The study would focus on suggesting an alternative eco-friendly transport system for the city. On conducting the study, the British High Commission would look at various options available across the world and depending upon the requirements of the city, it would give recommendations regarding combination of modes that would be feasible in Chandigarh keeping in view the requirement for the next 20 to 30 years.

The Adviser said both recommendations would be studied and then a final proposal would be prepared, which would be sent to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning for approval.

Kick-off meeting

At the meeting, study objectives and vision for sustainable mobility for horizon year 2041 were highlighted. Some other deliberations such as ways to integrate mobility plan with land-use plan and determine the optimal mix of multi-modal public transport network were held. Focus was laid on providing safe, secure, efficient, reliable and seamless connectivity for city residents.