The city’s Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) - the Ahmedabad Janmarg - is the first such project from a South Asian city to win the prestigious Sustainable Transport Award. In fact, it is the first project of its kind from any city in South Asia to be ever nominated for the international prize.
Janmarg beat rival transport systems of cities such as Cali (Colombia), Curitiba (Brazil) and Johannesburg (South Africa) to win the 2010 Sustainable Transport Award in Washington on Tuesday. The award - given by the Transport Research Board, a transport authority of the US government - is also the first international prize in urban transport won by an Indian city.
Ahmedabad is now part of an elite club of cities which have an effective and efficient urban transport system. Among the other members of this club are New York, London and Paris.
Ahmedabad municipal commissioner IP Gautam told DNA over phone from Washington DC that the honour had put Ahmedabad on the global map of quality urban transport.
“It is an award to the people of Ahmedabad,” he said. “However, with recognition comes the challenge to give better service and an improved BRTS network.”
Gautam and the AMC standing committee chairman Asit Vora received the award in Washington on Tuesday. Chief planner for Ahmedabad Janmarg, Shivanand Swamy, also attended the event. Further, a team led by secretary, urban development, government of India, Dr M Ramchandran, represented India at the function.
Talking to DNA over phone from Washington, Swamy said that it was undeniably a great achievement. “We have already won recognition for best practice at the national level,” he said.
International recognition makes Ahmedabad Janmarg one of the world’s leading urban transport systems.” He further said that with the help of the AMC and the state government, the Janmarg will soon be a world class facility. The award is given every year to a city that uses innovations in transport strategies to increase mobility for all residents, while reducing greenhouse emissions and air pollution, and improving safety and access for cyclists and pedestrians.
