Surat-Nashik road connectivity on the cards
October 28, 2013
Tushar Pawar, TNN
NASHIK: Road connectivity between Surat and Nashik is set to improve, with the Gujarat government taking up paving work of the Surat-Nashik Road, Gujarat principal secretary S S Rathore said in Nashik on Saturday.
Rathore, principal secretary, department of roads & buildings of the Gujarat government, was attending a engineers’ award presentation at the Nashik centre of The Institution of Engineers (India) on Saturday. “We are focusing on improving connectivity between Gujarat and Maharashtra, from Surat to Saputra, which is the border of Gujrat adjacent to Nashik district. We have already handed over a road to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for widening. Around 98 per cent work has already been completed, while the rest of the stretch before Saputara is to be developed shortly,” Rathore said at the programme.
Rathore said, “We are planning to develop 18,000 km of roads across the state of Gujarat over the next few years. We have improved connectivity between districts. We have also improved road connectivity in 98 per cent of villages. We have decided to resurface roads that are over seven years old.”
S Subrahmanyan, managing director of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) said, “There are several technological challenges and engineers must focus on finding solutions over these. They must be innovative to bring quality and competitiveness.”
Sanjay Khandare, Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) commissioner also attended the event.
Various engineering awards instituted by the Nashik local centre of The Institution of Engineers (India) were presented at the event to Anil Lodha, Nayana S Rao, Rajesh Atmaram Patil, Chandrashekhar N Kulkarni, Rajan Bhagawat, professor Prakash Kadave, Naresh Sahare, Vikas Agrawal, Ghanashyam Patil, Atul Jadhav, Sopan Talekar, Shrikant Agarkar, Smita Paithankar, Manisha Suryavanshi and Priyanka Shirude.
Make roads rain-proof with concrete: Experts
October 28, 2013
Riyan Ramanath V, TNN
BHUBANESWAR: After several of the city roads got damaged in the rain that has continued non-stop over the past week, experts have suggested building of concrete roads that can survive similar downpours.
A single spell of rain is enough to create potholes on the roads. If some of the roads, which are located in low-lying areas and are prone to waterlogging, can be concretized, there would be no need for frequent repairs, feel experts.
“Like Mumbai, which switched over to concrete roads to avoid potholes caused by frequent rain, Bhubaneswar should also plan out to concretize some roads that are vulnerable to rain water. Although initial construction cost of concrete roads is almost double compared to bitumen roads, the former can survive the impact of rain,” said chairman of Indian Institute of Architect (Odisha chapter) Sanjib Guru. He said switching over to concrete roads would require some elevation from the ground level.
However, concrete roads also have their flip side. They are likely to cause more friction of tyres of the vehicles compared to bitumen roads. It will also generate more heat. “Concrete roads are suitable at those locations where drainage facilities can’t be created. Second, concrete roads cannot be easily repaired unlike bitumen roads,” said city engineer T B K Shroff, pointing out that 300 km of roads in the city was damaged because of rainfall and stagnation of rain water on roads. “We have given a Rs 10 crore proposal to the state government for immediate repair of the roads,” said Shroff.
“The average lifespan of a bitumen road is three to four years and such roads fare badly during monsoon. Concrete roads are advisable in coastal cities like Bhubaneswar, as they last for at least 20-25 years. During waterlogging, the concrete roads rather gain strength,” said urban planer Piyush Rout. Concrete roads are also less vulnerable to water seepage.
For cities like Bhubaneswar, which during the entire monsoon receives 1,100-1,200 mm of rain, bitumen roads have been constructed accordingly. However, poor composition of bitumen and chips makes the roads vulnerable to rain water.
Transport department flayed for not computerizing data
October 25, 2013
TNN |
In its report up to March 2011-12, the comptroller and auditor general of India (CAG) has pointed out deficiencies in implementing Vahan and Sarathi, two softwares for various facilities, ranging from registration and taxation to issue of permits and driving licences.
Each state is expected to maintain a register of motor vehicles, containing all details, registration mark and year of manufacture. The state register (SR) was to be created in the database of Vahan software, as per data structure and standards provided by ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH).
The applicant servers and the database servers were to be accessed by the concerned clients and data entries made by them were to be captured and replicated in the server.
The data from SR was to be converted and transferred to the national register (NR). But out of 9,26,537 vehicles, only 1,92,771 vehicles were taken to Vahan database. The rest of the 7,33,766 vehicles remained out of access through NR to other stakeholders. This was due to non-porting of data by the implementing agency, and defeated the purpose of computerization, the CAG noted.
The department website “goatransport.gov.in” has not been updated since June 2011. It was also not linked to Vahan/Sarathi to provide information to the public.
The department had adopted the two softwares, Vahan and Sarathi, developed by national informatics centre (NIC) for computerization of its activities, to switch over from two earlier web base systems called e-RTA and e-Transport.
E-RTA provided the facility of registration and taxation while e-transport provided facility of cash collection, challan generation, prosecution and issue of permits by state transport authority and regional transport authority.
CAG observed that Vahan was not programmed to allot registration numbers of vehicles in a sequential order. Computerization of check posts was not done and the department was still working with e-transport, which was not integrated with Vahan. The report has pointed out several other deficiencies and suggested remedial measures.
More Buses Under JNNURM Scheme
October 25, 2013
While presenting the budget for year 2013-14, Mr. Chidambaram proposed to allot Rs 14873 crore for Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). He made it known that the buses sanctioned during 2009 to 2012 which amounted to 14000 have helped a lot with the transport. As a result, most of the allotted money will result in buying of more buses. It is proposed to give the public transport a boost of 10000 new buses during 2013-14. These new buses are mostly to ply in the hilly areas providing better and timely service.
It is also seen that many of the cities have already started placing orders for low floor buses as well as semi-low floor buses. It is assumed that they were just waiting on centre govt to provide the funding. Through this announcement the govt hopes to connect more areas with JNNURM as buses are still the most preferred means of transport.
Road Transports and the State Transport Undertakings have started procuring the buses under the JNNURM scheme for improving the structure of transport.
Ever since the Delhi rape case, there has been a need for better and safer public transport.
It has been asked by the centre govt to increase the number of state run govt buses. With this announcement the major manufacturers of buses like Tata Motors Ltd, Volvo buses India Pvt. Ltd and Ashok Leyland can expect an increase their sale of buses.
It is expected that besides centre govt providing Rs 15000 crore for this scheme, the state governments will invest Rs 10000 crore by themselves too.
Source-http://www.jnnurm.co.in
Police plan reflective stickers on bicycles
October 25, 2013
Hindustan Times (Delhi)
Subhendu Ray
NEW DELHI: The traffic police are planning a drive to paste “retroreflective tapes” on the rear mudguards of the cycles that ply on city roads.
SONU MEHTA/ HT PHOTO
Cyclists can often be seen jostling for space with cars, buses, three-wheelers and commercial vehicles.
This, the force believes, will increase the visibility of cycles in the dark and save cyclists from being mowed down. Around 100 cyclists die in road accidents each year in the Capital.
Around 12 lakh cycles ply on city roads especially in industrial areas and resettlement colonies. Bicycles are the preferred mode of transport for slum dwellers and labourers.
“We will start the drive in a week and deploy special teams in areas where people use bicycles to commute. In the first phase, we will affix one lakh stickers on cycles,” said additional commissioner of police (traffic) Anil Shukla.
Traffic police personnel will stop cyclists on roads and put the stickers on them.
Some of the colonies where the special teams will be deployed to affix stickers include Sangam Vihar, Deoli, Khanpur, Wazirabad, Silampur, Shastri Park, Badarpur, Mangolpuri, Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar at Rohini and Mayapuri.
Till October 15, 67 cyclists had lost their lives in road accidents in Delhi. Last year, 90 cyclists were killed in 89 road accidents.
According to the traffic police, cyclists are the third most vulnerable road users after pedestrians and two-wheeler riders.
Uneven and broken surface of cycle tracks, discontinuation of the tracks, encroachment by makeshift shops and parked cars, pillars on tracks and poor visibility often lead to the deaths of cyclists.
“We are hopeful that the proposal will be accepted and installation of such tapes in bicycles will become mandatory,” said KK Kapila, chairman, the International Road Federation.
Source-http://paper.hindustantimes.com
Little space for cyclists incity of four-wheelers
October 25, 2013
Hindustan Times (Delhi) HT Correspondent [email protected]
APATHY Govt has prepared an action plan to encourage people to walk and cycle, but its execution isn’t likely soon
NEW DELHI: Despite frequent fatalities, non-motorised mobility, which essentially involves cycling and walking, has not been a priority for the government.
The government prepared an action plan several years ago to discourage car usage and encourage people to walk and cycle, but it does not look like reaching the execution stage anytime soon.
The urban sprawl of Delhi means increased distances, forcing more and more people to use cars. This has led to the creation of massive carcentric infrastructure.
“Flyovers, signal-free corridors and foot overbridges destroy chances of safe walking and cycling. Even more people are forced to use cars. And the vicious cycle continues,” said Anumita Roychowdhury of Centre for Science and Environment.
“Cyclists are being edged out systematically to make way for cars — sometimes literally,” said a statement from the CSE, whose director-general Sunita Narain was on Sunday hit and injured by a car while she was cycling.
The action plan says: “We need to expand non-motorised transport to reduce automobile dependence through massive expansion in walking and cycling network to improve lastmile connectivity. We need street design guidelines and robust laws to protect pedestrians and cyclists, besides reviewing and implementing the bicycle master plan.”
“The plan which also asks for safety audits of pedestrians and cycling lanes has been put on hold because it also provides for heavy penalty for violations. The political leadership feels its implementation may not be a good idea in an election year,” admitted a senior government official.
In Delhi, a large number of cyclists can be seen every day, jostling for spacewith cars, twowheelers, buses, three-wheelers and commercial vehicles.
“More than 50 per cent of total trips in a day is less than 6km. That means there is a lot of scope and potential to promote cycling,” said Nalin Sinha, a transport expert.
In a city where a large number of people depend on private vehicles to travel shorter distances and to reach bus terminals and Metro stations, cycle and cycle sharing can offer a reliable transport system. But Delhi lacks the basic infrastructure and a conducive atmosphere.
“A fine network of streets, which are only for non-motorised transport, provide shorter connection and cut through the urban fabric,” said Anuj Malhotra, an expert in nonmotorised traffic.
“Providing adequate and safe walking and cycling infrastructure are the primary obligations of city governments and municipal authorities. The government will have to spend only a fraction of its flyover or elevated road budget to develop safe and segregated bicycle lanes and cyclist-friendly infrastructure and facilities in the entire city,” Sinha said.
Delhi registers an average of 100 deaths every year due to road accidents involving bicycles.
Borivli man dies in E-way mishap
October 25, 2013
TNN |
MUMBAI: A 45-year-old man was killed and three others, including a five-year-old boy, sustained severe injuries after the car they were travelling in fell off a bridge at Kiwale near Dehu Road on the Mumbai-Pune expressway on Wednesday night.
The deceased has been identified as Amarnath Mahadev Kalekar, a Borivli resident. The injured include Amarnath’s brother Jagannath (40), his wife Manju (35) and their son Gaurav (5). Investigating officer P P Ahivale said the accident took place around 10 pm.
The Kalekars were heading towards Solapur, the police said. “Amarnath was driving the car,” Ahivale added.
He said when the car approached the bridge, one of its front tyres burst. “It was travelling at speed and Amarnath could not control it,” Ahivale said, adding, “The car turned turtle and fell from the bridge.”
The impact killed Amarnath on the spot. “A police team rushed to the spot and rescued the injured and rushed them to a hospital,” he said.
The Dehu Road police have registered a case of accidental death.
Old roads, new highways
October 25, 2013
- TRIDIVESH SINGH MAINI
- USMAN SHAHID
India and Pakistan must use the strong peace sentiment on both sides of the border to develop better trade ties
The India-Pakistan relationship is a complex one, dominated by excessively polarised discourse. Over the past decade or so, one point has become evident. First, strong constituencies for peace between both countries have emerged along the border regions, be they Rajasthan-Sind or the two Punjabs. The enthusiasm with which people responded to Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), such as the Munabao-Khokhrapar train service and bus services connecting Delhi and Lahore and Amritsar-Lahore, are a reiteration of this point. It is a different matter, of course, that logistics issues have prevented both these initiatives from being a success.While in the case of the Punjab, opening up trade at the Wagah-Attari route and setting up the Integrated Check Post have got businessmen on both sides of the Radcliffe Line interested, some logistics issues persist. There is also a desire to open the Hussainiwala (Ferozepur)-Ganda Singh route, which was active before the 1971 war. This will be relevant especially in the context of the potential for petroleum trade between both countries, since the Bhatinda oil refinery, inaugurated in April 2012 by the Indian Prime Minister, is only 100 km from Hussainiwala. With the politics of Punjab being dominated by the Malwa belt, and the current Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal, being an MLA from Ferozepur, support for opening up this route is only likely to increase. The leather industry, which contributes 5.4 per cent of overall export earnings, will also benefit from the same trade route as Kasur city, adjacent to Ganda Singh and 60 km from Lahore, is a hub of tanneries in Punjab.Makes business, political sense
In Rajasthan-Sind, while the train service is chugging along, trade through the Munabao-Khokhrapar route is yet to open, though there is strong support for it. This route too could come in handy for petroleum trade, since gas has been discovered at Barmer.
Opening up these two borders would make sense from the business point of view, and come in handy politically for a number of reasons. North India will benefit more through land trade vis-à-vis Pakistan.
Currently, trade is only allowed through the Wagah-Attari land route; other road links are ignored. Barki road connecting Lahore-Patti, the Kasur-Firozpur roads at the Ganda Singh border, the Sahiwal/Pakpattan road link with Fazlika, Head Sulemanki and Multan borders, have the potential to enhance Punjab-to-Punjab trade manifold.
In the Pakistan context, Ganda Singh strengthens the pro-trade constituency in Punjab. In fact recently a delegation from Indian Punjab met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was enthusiastic about the idea. Apart from this, opening up the Raj-Sind border would assuage feelings in Sind, especially for those who believe Punjab will benefit from India-Pakistan trade while other States will be left behind.
If one were to look from the Indian side, opening more routes is important since this will help create a stronger political consensus for better ties. While Punjab is already ruled by the Shiromani Akali Dal, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rajasthan too could get a BJP government in the aftermath of the December Assembly elections. In addition to this, by opening up the Rajasthan-Sind border, businessmen from neighbouring States such as Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat which are BJP-dominated would also benefit. Currently, traders from Madhya Pradesh have to go all the way to the Wagah route.
Existing as well as new markets have the potential to achieve the highest targets. The existing market, worth $13 billion, comprises smuggling and personal baggage. Therefore, the legalisation of trade would help the government of Pakistan earn revenue in the form of import duties. The key to the economic success of a country is promoting regional trade. However, Pakistan’s regional trade is less than five per cent of the total. Millions of dollars can be earned if more trade routes are opened.
Land over sea
A study carried out in 2006 estimated that over 80 per cent of firms are forced to trade through the Karachi-Mumbai sea route, even if they are located in the border station of Amritsar. Similarly, the Sind-Rajasthan border can connect Rajasthan and Gujarat with Sind, which has huge potential to enhance trade between both countries by the land route. The Munabao-Khokhrapar rail route can lessen the burden on the Karachi-Mumbai sea route, which is the most common, formal trade route between India and Pakistan. It will also save time and money as the sea route requires cargo ships to touch a third-country port before bringing in goods.
The Pakistan Army, being a strong and influential stakeholder, can be brought into the loop as it has a vested interest in the economic structure. This way, India-Pakistan business and people-to-people contact may be enhanced, and stringent visa policies may get relaxed.
(Tridivesh Singh Maini is a New Delhi-based columnist, and Usman Shahid, a Lahore-based journalist and researcher. )
Source-http://www.thehindu.com
HC orders supervision of road resurfacing, repairs
October 25, 2013
TNN |
AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat high court on Thursday asked the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation ( AMC) to form a team to supervise post-monsoon road resurfacing work in the city to ensure that quality standards are maintained as mentioned in the terms of the contract.The court passed this interim order in response to a PIL filed by Ahmedabad Traffic Consultative Committee seeking directions to the authorities for improvement of city roads and for penal action against erring contractors for sub-standard work. The petitioner’s counsel Parth Contractor said that the civic body had sought time till beyond vacation to file a reply but, by then, road repair and resurfacing work would be over. Hence, to ensure that the construction quality does not suffer, the court had passed this interim order.Besides improvement of the condition of city roads and action against contractors and officials, the PIL also demanded immediate cancellation of work orders given to the same contractors whose poor work had been exposed several times. It pointed out that construction and resurfacing of roads are required to be monitored to maintain quality, especially when defaulting contractors have been re-awarded the contracts.
Citing examples of dilapidated roads on various stretches in the city, the PIL has urged the court to ask the Road and Buildings Department to perform its statutory duty so that people do not suffer. It has also requested the court to compel the authorities to publicize details of the contractors, the value of the contract and the project duration in order to bring transparency and accountability in the allotment of contracts.
The PIL has also demanded that a third-party consultant is required in order to monitor and examine the road-worthiness of the newly laid and resurfaced roads of the city.
Bangalore: Oscar asks IRC to build maintenance-free roads
October 25, 2013
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore
Bangalore : Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Oscar Fernandes has asked the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) to work towards providing maintenance-free roads in the country by utilizing the Rs 2500 crore funds earmarked for maintenance to be utilised for construction of new roads.
Roads across the country, including in the constituencies of senior ministers like the Union Home, Finance and himself were in pathetic shape, he said.
“When technology (for maintenance-free roads) is available, why should it not be implemented,” the Minister asked the road engineers at a regional workshop jointly organised by IRC and Karnataka Public Works Department here on Thursday.
Fernandes said the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has not been able to take up state highways which are recommended by the State Government due to the land acquisition problems.
The State government has asked the NHAI to take up several state highways (4300 km), including Bangalore-Mysore, for upgradation and maintenance.
He said the NHAI would be ready to take up road up-gradation of state Highways to national highways if there opportunities for further widening of roads and land acquisition. There was no provision for the land acquisition in many state highways.
Difficulties in the acquisition of forest lands have also come in the ways for taking over of state highways by NHAI.
“If the State government sort-out land acquisition problems, we are ready to take up upgradation of road projects,” Fernandes said.
Due to land acquisition problems and road safety issues, upgradation of a national highway connecting Kozhikode in Kerala with Kollegal in Karnataka via Mysore has been delayed.
The State government requested to Centre to take up upgradation of 212 km of road at a cost of Rs 518 crore. But no one firm has come forward to take up the project, he said.
Source-http://www.daijiworld.com
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