‘Traffic woes need smart solutions’

Given the rate of urbanisation in India, there is an urgent need to move away from steel and concrete solutions to transport problems and switch to smart solutions, said SK Lohia, officer for special duty on urban transport, ministry of urban development. He was speaking at the conference on Intelligent Transport System (ITS) for Strategic Urban Development on Friday.

Transport department and Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised the conference. Lohia announced that the Centre would cover up to 80% of the cost of preparing masterplan of ITS in urban transport.

Lohia praised Karnataka for its efforts in making transportation smarter. He said Karnataka is keen to implement ITS in the state and many pilot projects have already begun in this regard. He cited Bus Rapid Transport System as a case in point.

He requested Japan International Cooperation Agency to help the ministry of urban development build a national architecture to implement ITS in the state. He pressed for cost-effective technology to introduce ITS in India. He noted that the density of vehicles in the country is high and smart transport solutions are the need of the hour.

V Manjula, commissioner, directorate of urban land transport, said road-widening is not a solution to end traffic woes in the country, which is where ITS comes in the scene.

Buses on MG Road
Even as the authorities encourage the use of public transport, there are many areas where BMTC buses are not allowed.

Answering a question in this regard, MA Saleem, additional commissioner of police (traffic), said work was under way on a feasibility report with the BMTC on reintroducing the buses on Brigade Road, Mission Road and Avenue Road. He said MG Road, too, would have buses plying in both the directions once the Metro exits are opened on both the sides of the road.