Nitin Kumar N’s Post

In today’s meeting with DCM Shri @DKShivakumar, I presented an Alternative Sustainable Mobility Action Plan, which is a holistic and comprehensive roadmap for decongesting Bengaluru. Sharing key points from the presentation here. The present approach of the government continues to be car first. The focus remains on road expansion without addressing first and last mile connectivity. Fragmented planning and overreliance on roads are the root causes of Bengaluru’s traffic problem. When compared, Metro can move 40 times more people than a car tunnel. Yet the proposed tunnel road toll of ₹660 for a two way trip makes it unaffordable and exclusionary. The project prioritises private cars over the mobility needs of the larger public. Mass Rapid Transit Systems such as Metro, Suburban Rail, Trams and Non Motorised Transport are far more efficient, reliable and sustainable. They move people, not vehicles, and represent a better investment than an elite car only tunnel road. The tunnel is not just 18 kilometers long. The DPR shows ramps extend the corridor to nearly 20 kilometers. These 22 choke points will create multiple congestion hotspots and worsen the city’s traffic conditions further. My proposal is a Five Pronged Alternative aimed at achieving a 70 percent public transport modal share by 2031. Improve execution of existing solutions, move people, not vehicles, integrate all modes, implement NCMC, and prioritise pedestrians over cars. Across the world, successful mobility systems are built around rail based transport such as Metro, Suburban Rail and Trams. They ensure reliability, predictable capacity and reduced congestion while improving environmental and social outcomes. Metro is the lifeline for decongesting Bengaluru. It must be affordable, accessible, comfortable and reliable. Reducing fares will make it a preferred choice for daily travel and help shift more commuters from private vehicles to public transport. Delays in Metro construction slow the city’s overall growth. The overlap between the proposed tunnel road and the Metro Red Line alignment could delay Metro construction by up to ten years and undermine the viability of mass public transport. CMP 2020 targets 314 kilometres of Suburban Rail by 2031 with the potential to shift ten lakh daily commuters from road to rail. Immediate policy and financial steps are needed to fast track approvals, land acquisition and tendering processes. Metro should connect the city’s ends while Modern Trams support first and last mile connectivity. An immediate plan to operationalise this network has been presented. Integration between Metro, Tram and Bus systems will create seamless urban mobility. Trams can carry between 12000 and 15000 passengers per hour with smaller turning radius and flexible operations. They can share corridors with other vehicles and complement Metro and Bus systems by providing continuous urban level connectivity. Part 1/2