‘Incorporate transport in development plans’, say experts

The experts were speaking to explore role of bus-based public transport in planning. Representation pic

Transport planning needs to be incorporated in a region's development plans and public transport paths segregated from other amenities as a basic skeletal structure for an efficient city, said key experts at a meeting on Wednesday to encourage buses as primary mode of public transport. Former MMRDA chief planner Vidyadhar Phatak said that cities and regions have development plans, but surprisingly, transport is not included as it should be, and transport routes and other key elements should be made part of it.

Renowned architect Shirish Patel said, "Public transport and other city amenities and transport modes should be completely segregated in grid form, so that public transport gets a right of way and becomes more acceptable." The panel of experts was speaking to explore the role of bus-based public transport in planning at a talk organised by Parisar for Sustainable Urban Mobility Network (SUM Net).

Principal planner Jurong Consultants' Rajesh Shukla said that buses should have multiple uses and not be limited to a specific use, and should run as chartered buses like it is done in Delhi. Also, all types of buses should be allowed to use bus lanes. "So two key points, buses and bus lanes, both should be shareable," he said. Shukla also echoed the idea of merging all public transport bodies in and around Mumbai region, a point highlighted by mid-day earlier this year.

MSRTC's drive

Faced with a financial crisis, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation has launched a special 15-day mega ticket checking drive across the state. "A special drive will be launched between September 22 and October 6 and those caught without a ticket will be fined double the fare. Supervisors from all bus depots have been summoned for duties for this special drive," an MSRTC spokesperson said.