sustainable transport

Reclaiming footpaths has been an ongoing civic issue with no clear resolution. For many Indians (like Shanthi, a domestic worker) walking, with a combination of public transport, remains the preferred mode of getting to work. How safe are they walking to work? While we have excellent initiatives such as the T. Nagar Pedestrian plaza by Greater Chennai Corporation that helped to secure pedestrian rights, we not only need more such spaces but also an attitude shift amongst motorists and other road users. In addition, there is also a need for consistent enforcement.

By law, all public spaces should be accessible by the disabled (Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016). However, this remains only on paper, as we were woefully reminded by Mr. K. Raghuraman (disability activist), who spoke at the second National Pedestrians' Conference. Our public spaces must be designed keeping in mind the dignity of all users. It's time we saw the law in action!

#OneCityForAll #InclusiveCities #Accessibility #DisabilityRights #InclusionMatters 

How safe are pedestrians on our roads?

India is a nation of walkers. According to the 2011 census, one third of all work trips are by foot. Women walk to work more than men. And 60% of school journeys are by walk (NSO). Indian roads are unsafe for walkers. Almost 26,000 pedestrians, an 85% increase in the last 5 years, have died on Indian roads. Chennai’s OMR stretch alone sees as many as 34 pedestrian deaths a year. 90% of these deaths were from pedestrians trying to cross the road (Greater Chennai Traffic Police, 2019).

‘A robust master plan can be ambitious but more importantly, must be achievable; it must include citizens’ views, for that is the ultimate aim of the plan - to build a city which offers its residents a sustainable lifestyle and equitable access to its  resources’, said Sumana Narayanan, Senior Researcher, CAG. The webinar offered just that - a space to discuss the evolution and transformation of master planning and mobility in Chennai and a platform where citizens could discuss their aspirations for the third master plan.

The main aim of CUMTA is to unify all modes of transport and act as the key coordinating agency for delivering urban mobility services all over Chennai. For operationalizing CUMTA, a loan of $8 million was allocated by the World Bank and AIIB.

#StreetsForLife #SustainableMobility #UrbanMobilityindia #Masterplan #Chennai #ShareAuto #Transportation #Development  #Metro #MTC #MRTS #SmartCity  #Cyclists #Pedestrians #Driving #Responsibility #IncredibleIndia